Heavy Rainfall Triggers Flood Threat In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Water levels in all the major rivers of Odisha have gone up following heavy rainfall in the past three days under the influence of a cyclonic circulation formed over the north-west Bay of Bengal.

Meanwhile, the threat o flood loomed in Balasore district as the water level of Jalaka river has crossed the danger level at Mathani in Basta block. As against the danger level of 5.5 metres, the floodwater was flowing at a height of 6.48 metres by 9 am.

As informed by the district emergency operations centre (EOC), the floodwater were likely to enter the riverside panchayats of Patrajhada, Dudhahansa, Kudia, Mathani and Bahalada of Basta block and Rasulpur and Srirampur panchayats of Sadar Block.

Besides, the water levels of Mahanadi, Kushabhadra, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha, Banshadhara and Rushikulya were rising steadily. However, these rivers were still flowing below the danger level till reports last came in.

In Sambalpur, authorities of the Hirakud dam on Tuesday opened four more gates to release floodwater of Mahanadi. The dam authorities had opened six gates on Monday evening due to the rise in the water level following heavy rainfall in the upper catchments.

At 9 am, the water level of the dam was 623.65 feet. The inflow was 1,88,672 cusecs per second and outflow was 1,16,871 cusecs per second.