Bhubaneswar: Heavy rain triggered by a low-pressure system over the past two days has created a flood-like situation in several pockets of north Odisha, which was limping back to normal after a major flood a few days ago, as rivers Baitarani and Salandi, along with some branch rivers, continue to swell and inundate low-lying areas. While two people from Jajpur and Kendrapada districts were swept away in floodwaters over the last two days, crops were damaged and road communication was cut off in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts.Sunakar Malla was swept away in a branch river near Tikarpanga village under Mahakalapada block in Kendrapada district on Saturday evening, while his body was recovered after 11 hrs in the early hours of Sunday. In Dhobil village under Dasarathapur block of Jajpur district, Maheswar Sutar was swept away by floodwater in Kani river, a tributary of the Baitarani, on Sunday, with authorities suspecting him as having drowned.Bhadrak and Jajpur, severely affected in the earlier flood, are again on alert as floodwaters from Baitarani, Salandi, Kansabansa and Gamei rivers entered several villages.An embankment breach was reported in Dasarathapur block of Jajpur district. The same breach had been repaired during the earlier flood, but it widened again under pressure, flooding low-lying areas and prompting authorities to shift at least 30 families to safer locations.An official report on Sunday said the Baitarani at Akhuapada was flowing nearly half a metre below the danger mark by midday, submerging some low-lying areas in its catchment. Similarly, the Salandi was flowing close to the warning level, while its tributaries affected at least five blocks in Bhadrak district — Tihidi, Bhadrak, Dhamnagar, Chandbali and Bhandaripokhari. Thousands of hectares of farmland were inundated, and floodwater entered residential areas at some places.A breach was also reported in a check dam at Solaghara in Sambalpur district. Some villages in Athagarh block of Cuttack district were also flooded. Official sources said Hirakud reservoir opened four more sluice gates to release floodwater due to rain in the upper catchment areas, taking the total number to 12.
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Officials fear the prevailing flood-like situation, mainly in Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts, may worsen further as India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall in the state for the next five to six days, with widespread rain likely from Aug 13. Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for some districts, said Sanjeev Dwivedi, a scientist at the regional IMD centre in Bhubaneswar.The revenue and disaster management department on Sunday said the govt was keeping a close watch on the situation and that there was no panic anywhere.
