Bhubaneswar, Sept 16: With incessant rain in Odisha’s Balasore and Mayurbhanj district, the water level in several rivers is on the rise.
In view of the swelling water level in some major river systems nearing the danger mark, the Mayurbhanj district administration has alerted the locals living in the lower catchments of the river to shift to safer places. Especially people who are residing in Morada and Rasagobindapur blocks along the Budhabalanda river are advised to remain alert against possible floods in the Jalaka river and pack up to shift elsewhere.
According to reports, the water levels the Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha and Jalaka have raised much above the earlier mark, as it was recorded a few days back due to incessant rains during the past few days. The Jalaka River is flowing above danger mark and Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha are closing the danger level.
According to the Water Resources Departmetn officials, the water level of Budhabalanga River stood at 3.10 meters against danger level of 8.13 meters. Similarly, the water level in the Subarnarkekha River was 6.62 meters against the danger level of 10.36 meters.
The Mayurbhanj district administration has also alerted people living in low-lying areas under the Baripada area to move to safer places as the Budhabalanga River is continuously observed swelling.
Similarly due to incessant monsoon rain in the Balasore district, several areas in north Balasore have been submerged from Sunday.According to Water Resources department & IMD data, in the Jaleswar region, 247 mm of rain has been recorded during the last 72 hours. Khasrota, Sarnarekha and Jalka rivers flowing through Balasore have been flowing at danger level since last night. At Mathani, the danger level of the river is 6.50 meters while the water level of the river was 6.67 meters at 6.00 am today. More than 30 villages in the riverside areas are under water.
Based upon the field-level data, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Monday reviewed the flood-like situation in the state especially in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri and Sundargarh districts following heavy downpour received by these districts due to deep depression over Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand.
To tackle the situation, the district Collectors of Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been instructed to closely monitor the situation and prepare for any exigencies. Search and rescue teams, including 6 ODRAF teams and 10 Fire Service teams in Balasore, 1 NDRF team in Balasore, 7 ODRAF teams, 1 NDRF team, and 12 Fire Service teams in Mayurbhanj, are on standby.
The IMD predicted yet heavy rainfall for Sundargarh district, and thus the Collector has been instructed to keep the administrative machinery ready. The Collector has been directed to evacuate people from low-lying areas to safe shelters and provide cooked food if required.
Besides, the SRC sought deployment of ADM, Sub-Collector, and Additional Sub-Collector, to oversee relief efforts and ensure a swift response to the situation.
Apart from it, the SRC ordered the forest authorities to monitor the status of the Similipal biosphere to remain alert so that no loss of wildlife takes place in the inundated forests.
