Bhubaneswar: Flood-hit Ganjam district is gradually returning to normal as water levels in rivers recede following heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas, Odisha Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said on Friday.
Several areas of the district were inundated and agricultural crops damaged following heavy rainfall triggered by the aftermath of Cyclone ‘Arnab’. People were stranded by floodwaters in Asika, Kabisuryanagar, Dharakote and Sanakhemundi areas, prompting rescue and relief operations.
An airlift operation was also carried out on Thursday to rescue stranded people, the minister said.
Speaking to reporters after reviewing the ground situation in Ganjam, Jena said heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Kandhamala and Gajapati districts led to a rise in water levels in the Rushikulya and Bahuda rivers, resulting in flooding in several parts of Ganjam.
“We reviewed the situation on Wednesday and regulated the release of water after monitoring the inflow and outflow. However, heavy rainfall continued during Wednesday night, exceeding expectations and leading to an overflow,” he said.
The minister said dam authorities and officials were continuously monitoring water inflow and outflow and regulating the release of water. However, the intensity of rainfall was much higher than anticipated, contributing to the flooding.
The situation has started improving following a reduction in rainfall, with water levels in the affected rivers gradually receding since Thursday night, he said.
Thousands of vehicles were stranded on state highways and National Highways due to inundated roads, disrupting vehicular movement in the district.
Jena said vehicles coming from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh had initially started moving, while several Odisha-registered vehicles remained stranded. Following discussions and coordination, the movement of Odisha vehicles also resumed.
“The Bahuda river had overflowed onto the road on Thursday, disrupting traffic. However, water levels have now receded, allowing vehicles to move,” he said.
The minister further said arrangements had been made to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles at truck terminals and that food was being provided to passengers stranded due to the disruption.
The administration is closely monitoring the situation, and efforts are underway to restore normalcy in the affected areas, he added.
