Bhubaneswar: As several areas of Odisha faced a flood situation following heavy downpour triggered by deep depression over the past few days, over 40,000 people have been affected by the deluge, particularly in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts.
According to official sources, Subarnarekha and Jalaka rivers continued to flow above the danger level in Balasore district. The water level in Budhabalanga river also continued to rise, posing serious threat to several areas.
The office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said though Subarnarekha and Jalaka were flowing above the danger mark, the water level in both the rivers are in receding trend.
River water inundated low-lying areas of Baliapal, Basta and Bhograi Blocks in Balasore district requiring evacuation of a large number of people to safe locations.
The flood situation remained grim in Balasore where over 35,600 people have in 141 villages spread over five blocks have so far been affected, the SRC office said in a statement.
Worst hit blocks in the district were Bhograi, Basta, Jaleswar, Balasore Sadar, and Remuna where rescue and relief operations were intensified. As many as 11632 people have been evacuated and 51 free kitchen centres opened to provide them with cooked food.
Similarly, more than 2000 people were affected in 101 villages spread over several blocks in Mayurbhanj district where rescue teams evacuated over 1600 people to safe places.
Over 1160 people were affected in 22 villages spread over five blocks of Keonjhar district. Some parts of Sundargarh district including Rourkela city were also affected by flood situation.
As many as 56 power boats have been deployed along with response forces, while the district Collectors of Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been instructed to remain alert for the next 24 hours.
A total of 40 teams of ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Service have been deployed to carry out rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit areas of Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak districts. While 22 teams have been deployed in Balasore, 17 units are operating in Mayurbhanj.