Flood risk remains as rivers continue to swell

Bhubaneswar: The flood situation remained grim in the state with the Baitarini river flowing above the danger mark at several places.
According to reports, the river swelled to 39.120 metre crossing the danger mark of 38.360 at Anandpur in Keonjhar district. More than 10 villages under Shankarpur and Ayatpur panchayats in the district were cut-off with water entering several areas, including agricultural fields.
Similarly, continuous rise in water level of Subarnarekha river has led to possibility of flash flood in Basta, Baliapal, Bhogarai and Jaleswar.
The river continued to swell at several places after crossing the danger mark of 10.36 metre at Rajghat in Balasore district. It was flowing at 10.51 metre.
The swelling of rivers has created panic among locals, especially among those living in low lying areas of river basins. The district administrations along with ODRAF and fire department are closely monitoring the situation, official sources.
“Flood threat prevails in Balasore with both Budhabalang and Jalaka rivers flowing above the danger mark. Same goes for over 14 gram panchyats under Dhamnagar block in Bhadrak. One ODRAF team has been sent to meet any eventuality. The district collector too is camping there,” Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi said.
Meanwhile, the Hirakud Dam authorities have opened 10 sluice gates to release excess water from the reservoir. The water level was at 608.58 ft with the reservoir receiving 86,814 cubic feet of water per second and releasing 73,206 cubic feet of water per second.
The sources said the first flood water is likely to reach Mundali Barrage in Cuttack on Tuesday following heavy rain the the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi river the previous day.
The Cuttack district administration has taken elaborate precautionary measures and set up control rooms at Mundali, Naraj and Jobra barrages to keep a close watch on the flood water.