Bhubaneswar: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Wednesday said a medium-level flood is expected in the Subarnarekha river, with water levels set to rise further in Baleshwar district.
While the flood situation has improved in other districts and rainfall has decreased in the last 24 hours bringing some relief, water continues to be released from the Jharkhand catchment area. Around 1,410.42 cumecs of water is being discharged from the Chandil Dam. As a result, the water level is likely to increase at several points along the Subarnarekha.
At Rajghat, the river is already flowing above the danger mark. In contrast, water levels are receding in the Brahmani, Baitarani and Budhabalanga rivers.
The minister informed that the water level in Baleshwar will rise this evening and increase further around midnight. The district administration has been put on high alert, while Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts have also been cautioned.
He further stated that currently, flood impact continues in 68 blocks across six districts including Baleshwar, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, Bhadrak. A total of 469 panchayats, 1,579 villages and 64 wards in 10 urban areas have been affected. As many as 11,65,837 people have been impacted, of whom 4,26,675 have been shifted to safer places. Floodwaters have affected 58,465 hectares of land and damaged 1,882 houses.
The minister directed the Baleshwar district administration to immediately report if additional rescue teams or relief materials are required. He also said the government will supply seeds to farmers and open outlets for the sale of government seeds. While 16,000 quintals of seeds are currently available, around 40,000 quintals are needed, which will be procured from the central government.
