Bhubaneswar: Threads of flood looms large on Balasore district in Odisha as the Subarnarekha river is flowing close to its danger mark. While there is no imminent threat of flood in the other districts, the administration has been directed to remain on alert mode to meet any eventuality.
A decision in this regard was taken at a review meeting chaired by the Odisha Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management Suresh Pujari on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by the Special Relief Commissioner, EIC (DoWR), Chief Fire Services Officer, Senior Officers of SRC Office, and OSDIMA. The District Collectors of Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Jajpur and Sundargarh district joined the meeting through video conferencing.
As forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar, the deep depression formed on Monday weakened into a depression and moved west-northwestwards. During the last four days, Balasore and Mayurbhanj received significant rainfall, whereas Jajpur and Bhadrak districts also received good amount of rainfall on Monday. As of now, there is no significant rainfall in the districts.
The water level in Baitarani river was 18 meters passing at Akhuapada against the danger level of 18.33 meters. The water level in Budhabalanga river was 7.52 meters at NH 5 (Govindpur) against the danger level of 8.13 meters. Similarly, the water level in Subarnarekha river was 10.70 meters at Rajghat against the danger level of 10.36 meters and the Jalaka river was flowing at 6.76 meters at Mathani with the danger level being 6.50 meters.
ln the present scenario as well as the forecast of the Central Water Commission (CWC), water level in the Subarnarekha river may cross 10.95 meters causing a flood situation in Balasore district, especially in the Basta, Bhogarai and Baliapal blocks.
The Collectors of Sundargarh and Keonjhar informed that there is no flood-like situation in their districts. However, they have been instructed to keep the administrative machinery alert for the next 24 hours
The Collector Bhadrak informed that the water level at Akhuapada is in receding trend and there is no rainfall activity.
On the other hand, the Collector of Balasore informed that the Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, and Jalaka rivers passing through Balasore are in spate causing concern. As of now they have shifted 400 persons to safe shelters of Bhogarai block.
