Bhubaneswar: Cyclone ‘Dana’ has brought devastating floods to North Odisha, particularly in Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak districts, due to heavy rains on October 24 and 25. Major rivers in both districts have swollen, causing widespread flooding in many areas.
Floods occurred in Bubhabalang, Son, Gangahar, Jalaka, and Kanshabansan rivers, submerging over 50 panchayats. In Bhadrak, Genguti, Salandi, and Reb rivers are overflowing, disrupting vehicular communication in many places.
The administration, ODRAF, and fire brigade are on high alert to deal with the situation. The fire brigade has rescued 10 families in Remuna area and three people in Bhadrak’s Dhamnagar Block.
The water level in Budhabalanga is at 7.72 meters, below the danger level of 8.13 meters. Floodwaters have been released from Mayurbhanj Kala dam due to heavy rainfall in Shimilipal region.
Hundreds of villages are flooded, and lakhs of people are displaced. Communication to the Sadar block has been cut off, and three feet high water is spilling on Balighat Boucha road. The people residing in low-lying areas have taken shelter on the road, holding their children. Water has entered various wards of Nilgiri in Balsore.
CM Mohan Majhi on Saturday announced arrangements for flood victims to stay at cyclone shelters until conditions improve. The government will serve them cooked food.
Although there’s less rain in the upper reaches of Baitarani, there’s still a risk of flooding in Reba and Kapali rivers. Rainwater is flowing at a height of 3 feet on State Highway No. 35 near Bhadrak Akhandalmani and Asurali.
Administrative officials are conducting patrolling in vulnerable areas in Balasore and Bhadrak taking stock of the situation.
