Bhubaneswar, September 2: The flood situation in Odisha’s Balasore district remained grim on Wednesday as the Subarnarekha River inundated more than 100 additional villages following heavy rainfall in its upper catchment areas of neighbouring Jharkhand.
The river rose after excess water was released through 13 gates of the Galudih Barrage. At Rajghat, the Subarnarekha was flowing at 11.54 metres at 9 am, above the danger mark of 10.36 metres. Flooding affected Baliapal, Jaleswar and Bhograi blocks, disrupting road connectivity and cutting off several villages.
Meanwhile, water levels in the Budhabalanga River began receding in parts of Balasore and Mayurbhanj, allowing many of the nearly 5,000 people staying in relief camps to return home.
The flood situation remained unchanged in Jajpur, where the Brahmani River continued to flow at high levels, inundating 62 villages. Schools and Anganwadi centres were shut for a day in affected areas.
The Baitarani River was also flowing close to the danger mark at Akhuapada in Bhadrak. Authorities remained on alert in several blocks.
The IMD said a well-marked low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand was moving west-northwestwards. Light to moderate rain was forecast across Odisha, with isolated heavy rainfall likely.
