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| Water woes |
Bhubaneswar/Jajpur, Sept. 22: There seems to be no end to the suffering of many people from flood fury this year. Now, the threat of another flood looms over northern parts of the state as most of the rivers are swelling.
The water level of Budahabalanga, Baitarani and Brahamani rivers were flowing near the danger level in several parts. Brahamani was flowing above the danger level in Jenapur. Similarly, Baitarani was about to touch the danger level near Anandpur in Keonjhar district.
As a precautionary measure, the state government today asked district collectors of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak and Jajpur to evacuate people from low-lying areas. The fishermen have also been advised not to venture into the sea.
Met officials are predicting heavy rainfall for the next two days, following the formation of yet another cyclonic system off the Orissa coast.
Fresh rainfall in Jajpur since Tuesday evening added to the woes of the people. According to reports available from Bari and Dasarathapur areas of the district, water from both Brahamani and Baitarani rivers has already surged into many villages.
“The state government has issued high alert in four districts including Jajpur. Accordingly, we have taken steps to deal with the situation. An engineering team is on its way to study the condition of embankments of Brahamani and Baitarani rivers,” said Jajpur collector Anil Kumar Samal.
Today the state government submitted a detailed report to the Centre about flood-related damages. The government estimated that the state had suffered losses to the tune of Rs 2120.92 crore. The official death toll now stands at 41 and about 34 lakh people have been affected.
Special relief commissioner Pradeepta Mohapatra said the damage had been assessed as per reports submitted by the district collectors. Mohapatra said: “Though 19 districts were ravaged, Puri and Kendrapara were the worst affected.”
The state government today claimed that it had spent Rs 16.27 crore for relief works. An inter-ministerial team is expected to visit the state this week to assess the damage caused by the flood.
