Bhubaneswar: The flood situation in six districts of Odisha showed signs of improvement on Friday with water levels in all major rivers staying below the danger mark and no significant rainfall recorded in the last 48 hours, officials said.
In the worst-hit Balasore district, the Subarnarekha river was flowing at 9.75 metres at Rajghat against the danger level of 10.36 metres. The river had peaked at 11.82 metres on August 20, inundating the densely populated Baliapal, Bhograi and Jaleswar blocks and affecting around 2.1 lakh people. Officials said nearly one lakh people were impacted in Baliapal alone, while Bhograi saw around 70,000 affected and Jaleswar about 40,000.
The Jalaka and Budhabalanga rivers, which had caused severe flooding in Balasore Sadar, Basta and Remuna blocks, were also flowing below the danger mark, ruling out the possibility of further inundation for now. However, around 100 villages in Balasore remained marooned and the district administration has stepped up relief and rescue operations.
The second spell of floods since August 14 has affected more than 13 lakh people across six districts, with around five lakh people evacuated from low-lying and inundated villages, according to officials.
The Special Relief Commissioner’s office said the situation in Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar remained stable due to dry weather. But officials are keeping a close watch on the Baitarani river, which was showing a rising trend and could pose a threat to parts of Kendrapara and Jajpur.
In view of flood-like conditions and severe waterlogging, local authorities in Bhadrak and Jajpur ordered closure of schools and other educational institutions on Friday as a precaution. The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar said Odisha received an average rainfall of just 2.1 mm in the 24 hours till 8.30 am on Friday, much below the normal of 10.4 mm for the day.
Nayagarh recorded the highest rainfall of 35 mm during the period. However, the India Meteorological Department has forecast another wet spell for the coastal and northern parts of the state for the next six days, prompting authorities to remain on alert.
