Bhubaneswar: The flood situation in in Odisha turned grim on Wednesday as major rivers, including the Baitarani and Salandi, are in spate inundating several villages and snapping road connectivity in Jajpur and Bhadrak districts.
According to official sources, more than one lakh people in four districts of Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been affected by floods in Baitarani, Salandi, Brahmani and Jalaka rivers following heavy rain in upper catchment areas due to the deep depression over the region.
Around 24,000 people in the four districts have been evacuated from low-lying areas to safer places. Around 500 villages have been affected in the flood and several houses have also been damaged.
According to information, water levels in the Baitarani crossed the danger mark, while a breach in the embankment in Dasarathpur block of Jajpur left many families marooned.
The Baitarani River at Akhuapada anicut was flowing at 20.40 metres in the morning, significantly above the danger level of 18.33 metres and the warning level of 17.83 metres.
Over 100 families were marooned as the high floodwaters caused a 100-ft breach in an embankment at Mahapatra Sahi in Jayantara village under Dasarathpur block. The stranded villagers have been shifted by the district administration to a relief shelter.
Baitarani floodwaters have also overtopped the main embankment at Katikata, where the Water Resources Department has launched emergency protection work by placing sandbags, plastic sheets and bamboo support to prevent further damage.
At the same time, floodwater from the Kani branch river entered agricultural fields following a breach near Kantapada, raising concerns over extensive crop damage.
In Bhadrak district, the situation was equally grave as both the Salandi and Baitarani rivers surged above the danger mark overnight. Floodwater has spread from villages into urban areas, leaving large parts of the district waterlogged.
Road connectivity between Dhamnagar and Jajpur has been snapped after the Sendahpur bridge and ghat in Dhamnagar block went under floodwater.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reviewed the situation at a high-level meeting on Tuesday. The minister directed the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) to remain functional throughout the night for continuous monitoring of the situation.
He said Brahmani, Baitarani and Jalaka rivers were rising at Anandpur, Akhuapada and Mathani.
Around 12 ODRAF and five NDRF teams have been deployed in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur districts for relief and rescue measures. Collectors and BDOs of all these districts have been asked to remain on high alert.
Police have intensified night patrolling and women personnel have also been deployed to ensure safety and security, he said.
While 30 roads have been damaged in Baleshwar district, 300 houses were also broken in Oupada block of the district. The district administration has opened 52 free kitchen centres for 8,646 affected people.
In Jajpur district, 35 shelters have been opened for affected people and 12,191 people evacuated to safer places. Train communication was affected in Kendujhar district where rainwater submerged railway tracks. As a result, the Barbil-Puri passenger train was halted at Keonjhar station while the Puri-Barbil passenger train was stranded at Naranpur station.
The state government has deputed three senior IAS officers for flood management in three districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak and Jajpur, which have been the worst hit. While Sudarshan Chakraborty has been given charge of Balasore, Sudhansu Samal will look after Bhadrak and P Anwesha Reddy will monitor the situation in Jajpur district.
Schools and anganwadi centres in Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendujhar, Sambalpur and Sundaragada have been closed on Wednesday in view of the heavy rainfall and submergence of low-lying areas.
Stating that evacuation of people living in low-lying areas has already started, Pujari said, officials have been asked shift more people to safer places if required. Instructions have also been given to open flood shelters and community kitchens at more places as required.
The Minister urged people not to panic and to follow the instructions of the administration..
