Bhubaneswar, August 24: Several low-lying areas in north Odisha are facing a flood-like situation as the water levels of the Subarnarekha and Baitarani rivers surged beyond the danger mark due to incessant rainfall in the region. Districts like Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore are affected.
The situation has prompted the authorities to remain on high alert to prevent potential damage and ensure the safety of residents, a senior government official confirmed on Sunday.
According to the Water Resources Department, the heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of both rivers over the past few days has led to a rapid rise in their water levels. “The continuous downpour in the upper reaches has resulted in the swelling of the Subarnarekha and Baitarani rivers. The water level in several stretches of these rivers has now crossed the danger level, posing a threat to nearby villages,” said Chandra Sekhar Padhi, Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) of the department.
While the situation in these two rivers remains a cause of concern, the department assured that other major rivers in the state, including the Mahanadi, are currently flowing below the danger mark as of 10 am. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have deployed teams to vulnerable areas for emergency response if needed.
The state government has advised residents living in low-lying and flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of the local administration
Meteorological reports indicate that the region may continue to receive moderate to heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours, which could further impact the water levels in these rivers.
