Jajpur/Bhadrak, Aug. 5: The swirling floodwaters have left many villages in Jajpur marooned and the absence of relief materials has compounded their troubles.
“We are starving as no relief has reached us. With eight members of my family, we are without food ever since the floodwaters entered our village,” said Padmalochan Biswal of Baniapatana in Jajpur’s Malikapur panchayat.
Those who are lucky enough to have received government relief, they complained that it was inadequate.
Narottam Malik of Mohanty Patana in Jajpur’s Dasarathapur block said: “The government relief has been inadequate. Barely 150gm of flattened rice is too inadequate for an adult.”
Dasarathpur block has been the worst hit by the flood in Baitarini river.
Only a month ago, Baitarani waters had entered the block and before the breach could be repaired, flood struck again.
At least 30,000 people living in 20 villages in the six panchayats under the block have been inundated by the floodwaters of Baitarani following a breach in the embankment at Patapur on Monday night.
Things worsened when a fresh breach occurred at Trilochanpur under Jajpur block in the right embankment of the Budha on Tuesday afternoon.
In neighbouring Bhadrak district, the flood situation continued to be grim and it could deteriorate further as both Baitarani and Salandi were in spate and flowing above danger level.
The district headquarters town has borne the brunt of the flood fury of Salandi.
What is worrying for both the district administration and the residents that any further release of excess water from Hadgarh dam might script more disaster.
Salandi receives water from Hadgarh dam. While the maximum reservoir level of the dam is 82.3 metres, it was almost full following heavy inflow of water upstream.
President of Bhadrak Bikash Parishad Suvendu Raymohapatra said: “The situation is alarming as the dam is left with only about a metre space to hold water.”
“Any further rain upstream will force release of water into Salandi and that will be perilous for Bhadrak town,” he said.
“We have informed the dam authorities not to release any more water till the current water level recedes,” said district collector L.N. Mishra.
Bhadrak town has witnessed an unprecedented flood this year. Even the residential quarters of district collector, superintendent of police and judicial officers experienced waterlogging.
“The situation of Bhadrak district is grim as about 40 gram panchayats are inundated,” Mishra said.
The road communication between Bhadrak and Aradi has been cut off as floodwaters are flowing on the road.
In neighbouring Balasore district, all rivers except the Subarnarekha were flowing above the danger level.
Several villages under Balasore Sadar, Basta, Baliapal, Soro, Simulia, Khaira and Oupada blocks were inundated. An overflowing Sono river has triggered waterlogging in Remuna and Nilgiri blocks. One person identified as Sukadev Singh, 60, was washed away in the floodwater.
In Mayurbhanj, four casualties, including that of a couple, took place due to wall collapse last night.
The deceased were identified as Srikant Behera, 58, and his wife Hiramani, 52, under Karanjia block, Brundaban Behera, 67, of Thakumunda block and Radhu Tudu, 60, of Bijatola block.
Emergency officer Pallavi Nayak said: “Baripada- Udla and Thakurmunda- Keonjhar road links were cut-off due to breaches.”