Baitarani river is flowing above danger mark in Keonjhar

Bhubaneswar, July 21: Incessant rainfall for the past three days has given rise to water level in most of the rivers across the state, triggering fear of a flash flood. To add to this, the possibility of another cyclonic storm hitting the state on or around July 25 has become a matter of major concern.

While there is no immediate threat of flood in the Mahanadi river system, few other major rivers, including Baitarani in north Odisha, Rushikulya in south Odisha and Hati in Kalahandi have crossed the danger level.

“The flood situation is grim in Keonjhar, Jajpur and Bhadrak districts following the rise in the water level of Baitarani. As the water level will further rise in the night, there is a flood threat,” said a press release issued by the chief minister’s office.

Water in Baitrani river is flowing above the danger mark near Akhuapada of Jajpur and Anandapur in Keonjhar district and the river is rising alarmingly because of heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area.

This afternoon, water was flowing at 18.30 metres against the danger level of 17.83 metres in Baitarani river at Akhuapada. Similarly, the river was flowing at 39.35 metres at Anandapur against the red mark of 38.36 metres.

Thousands of people of Dasarathapur, Korei and Jajpur blocks in Jajpur district have fled to safer places as Baitarani swelled alarmingly since Sunday and flowed above the danger mark, inundating many low-lying areas in these blocks.

Baitarani’s branch Budha river is also flowing much above the danger mark resulting in floods in some low-lying villages in the district.

In Balasore district, only Jalaka river was flowing above the danger level. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today reviewed the prevailing flood situation. All the district collectors have been asked to remain on high alert. The water resources department has been asked to mobilise mobile patrolling party for inspecting vulnerable points of various embankments.