Flood situation in north Odisha continues to remain grim following heavy rainfall during last 3 days
Flood situation in north Odisha continues to remain grim following heavy rainfall during the last three days. The State Administration is keeping a close watch on all the four major river systems in the region like Subarnarekha, Bramhani, Baitarani and Budhabalanga which are in spate.
The State Water Resources Minister Tukuni Sahu has reviewed the flood situation in north Odisha. Briefing media in capital of Bhubaneswar, the Minister said that the local administration is fully ready to meet any crisis arising out of the flood situation. AIR correspondent reports that three north Odisha districts like Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar are deeply impacted by the flood, Balasore being hit the worst. While all major rivers in these districts are experiencing either stagnation or a decrease in water level, that in Subarnarekha river, meandering through Balasore district, is flowing above the danger level.
Peak flood due to water surge in Subarnarekha is feared between noon to afternoon today following release of excess water by Jharkhand through the Galudih barrage. In anticipation, the Balasore District Administration has evacuated thousands of people to safer places, with more than 50 Gram Panchayats is being inundated. While the local administration has made adequate arrangements for fooding, shelter and medicines for the flood affected people, teams of NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Service Departments have been deployed in rescue and relief operations.
Meanwhile, a number of areas in western and coastal Odisha are now recuperating from inundation following recess in rainfall and reduced discharge of water from the Hirakud dam, water level of which now stands a little above 622 feet as against its full capacity of 630 feet.
