Balasore: The water level of Jalaka river in Basta block of this district was flowing above the warning mark Wednesday following torrential rains in the upper catchment area. At Mathani, the warning mark is 6 metre and the danger level 6.5 metres. By 4am, the water had risen to 6.01 metre, crossing the warning level by 9am at 6.05 metre. The level remained steady at 6.05 metre until 4pm. Officials said if heavy rainfall continues in the upper catchment and across the district, the risk of flooding will increase.
The district received 605mm rainfall Tuesday and another 366mm Wednesday. Soro recorded the highest rainfall at 45mm, while Jaleswar registered the lowest at 11mm, according to the district emergency office. Due to a low-pressure system, continuous rainfall has submerged hundreds of hectares of farmland in Basta and Sadar blocks.
Farmers fear crop loss, and riverside communities remain in distress. Heavy rainfall over the past two days in Balasore and neighbouring Mayurbhanj has further worsened the situation. The upper catchment areas of Rasgobindpur, Morada, Suliapada, and Chitrada also received heavy rain, raising the river level above the warning mark. Low-lying areas have been inundated. If flooding occurs, more than 20 panchayats in Basta and Sadar blocks may be affected, with thousands of hectares of kharif paddy at risk of destruction. ADM Sudhakar Nayak said the administration has made extensive preparations to tackle any eventuality.
