Jalaka River Breaches Danger Mark In Odisha’s Balasore

Balasore: The Jalaka river has breached the danger mark near Mathani in Odisha’s Balasore district on Monday following heavy downpour over the last few days due to a depression in the region.

According to sources, water level in Jalaka River has touched 6.29 metres near Mathani in Basta block of the district against the danger mark of 5.5 metres, triggering panic among the people living on both sides of the river.

Residents of low-lying areas apprehended that another flood situation may crop up with the increase in the flow in the river which could cause breaches in the embankments which appear to have become weak at certain places.

It is pertinent to mention that, the regional centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar has forecast that the heavy rainfall will continue in different parts of the state, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur and some places in interior Odisha, for another 48 hours.

In the last 24 hours, Baliapala in the districts has recorded 85 mm rainfall followed by Bhogaria (72 mm) and Jaleswar (66 mm)

The villagers in the area, who are already reeling under severe loss caused by the flood last month, feared more damage to property and crops.

Many villages under five panchayats of Balasore Sadar and Basta blocks were severely affected by the flood last month.