Bhubaneswar: With water levels in Subarnarekha and Baitarani rivers dropping below the danger mark, the flood situation in many parts of Odisha showed signs of considerable improvement on Wednesday.
Sharing latest information regarding the situation, Engineer-in-Chief in the Water Resources Department Chandra Sekhar Padhi said no report of fresh flood threat has been received from other rivers in the state.
Locals said though the water level of Subarnarekha has receded, trouble for the affected villagers continues. The farmers are facing a tough time due to the clogged waters. For the sixth time, as many as 40 villages of eight Gram Panchayats under Baliapala block in Balasore district have been severely affected.
Additionally, over 50 villages of nine Gram Panchayats in Bhogarai block of Balasore district are also under floodwaters.
Referring to the breach that had occurred in the embankment of Kani river, a tributary of Baitarani, he said several villages in Dasarathpur area of Jajpur district have been submerged with water following the incident, and repair work will be undertaken once the water level further recedes.
Stating that the department is working in close coordination with the district administration, Padhi said night patrolling is being conducted regularly along vulnerable embankments.
Several places still remain inundated with floodwaters and it would take some time for water to drain out from low-lying areas.
Regarding the Mahanadi River, the official said that the discharge from Hirakud reservoir stands at 98,000 cusecs through four gates, while 3.31 lakh cusecs of water is being released at Mundali in Cuttack district.
In Rengali reservoir, water is being released through two gates into the Brahmani River, though one gate may soon be closed to regulate the flow, he said.
The water level in Baitarani River has already started to fall. The department is closely monitoring the situation, and further assessment will be made depending on rainfall in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into well-marked low-pressure on Wednesday, raising the likelihood of another prolonged spell of heavy rain in different parts of Odisha for next few days.
