A submerged patch of land near Chunabhati in Balasore district. Telegraph picture

Balasore, Oct. 25: People of this coastal district, who had experienced a severe flood recently, are living in fear of another flood because the rivers are in spate again following incessant rain.

Kabita Das, whose house is situated by the river near Balighat, said: “I haven’t returned to my house. Me and my family have been staying with someone else for the past one week. We are worried that the flood might recur.”

The district administration was keeping a close watch on the situation though the two major rivers, Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga, were flowing below the danger level. Low lying areas of the district headquarters town including Balighat, Daudibhanga, Golapolo, Chunnabhatti, Keuta Sahi and Balia have already been inundated by the flood waters of Budhabalanga.

Revenue divisional commissioner (central) Arvind Padhee has been deputed here again to supervise relief and rescue operations. One unit of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is also camping here.

“Both Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga are flowing below the danger level. Fortunately, the upper catchment areas of these rivers have not received heavy rain,” said Padhee

Fearing a flash flood, four NDRF units were asked for the district. But three of them were sent to Ganjam district because the situation was grim there.

Deputy inspector general of police (eastern range) Asit Panigrahi said 10 power boats were with the reserve battalion in Baripada. “The help of the unit can be taken if needed,” he said.

“Incessant rain have impeded relief and restoration work,” said the revenue divisional commissioner. “We are trying to finish the first phase of relief distribution work as early as possible. Some people are trying to disrupt the distribution work for various reasons and I have instructed the superintendent of police to book them under the National Security Act,” he said.

The district could distribute only 28,000 pieces of polythene sheets, Rs 2.9 crore in cash and 24,560 quintals of rice among the victims till yesterday.

“I wanted to restore my kitchen after coming back from the relief camp. But the rain is creating problems,” said Ahalya Sahu , a resident of Ghodapada under Sadar block.