Briefing the media on Saturday, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi said the state government has been keeping round-the-clock vigil on the flood situation as some rivers in South Odisha are flowing close to the danger mark.
“Control rooms have been opened in all districts. Besides, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been kept ready. These will be deployed in the affected place if any emergency situation arises,” he added.
In Rayagada district, train services were disrupted following landslide between Rayagada-Koraput and Rauli-Leliguma area of Kalyansinghpur block. As a result, Hirakhand Express and Koraput-Vishakhapatnam DMU had to be short-terminated at Bhalumuska and Tikiri railway stations respectively.
In another incident, a couple of Sulipadar village of Kalyansinghpur village was killed when a portion of the collapsed on Saturday.
Following incessant rain, the water level of Nagabali and Bansadhara rivers is flowing near the danger level. In Gunupur, the water level of Bansadhara was flowing at a height of 82.32 metre against the danger mark of 84 metres.
In Kalahandi districts, heavy rain has disrupted road communication between Gopalpur and Madanpur and Bhawanipatna and Thuamul Rampur. Besides, a portion of the road has been swept away at a place between Thuamul Rampur and Kalampur road. In Kalampur block, Balichhada, Biripur and Matikhala villages have been cut off from the outside world.
Apart from this, the flood situation in the Hati river is imminent after the opening of five gates of the Hati barrage by the Indravati dam authorities.
In Malkangiri district, road communication was disrupted following a landslide in the Bonda ghat. Besides, Mudulipada and Andarabahal villages have been cut off from other areas in the district.
In Balasore, the water level of Jalaka river has touched the danger mark of 5.5 metres at Mathani in Basta block.
In Puri, the Bada Danda (Grand Road) has been inundated with heavy rain lashing the town since Friday night. At Saradhabali near the Gundicha temple, the wheels of the three chariots of the Lords have been submerged. Rainwater has entered the several houses in Matiapada, Matitota and Sidhha Mahavir temple areas. The overflowing drain water in these areas has entered the roadside shops.
In Brahmagiri block of the district, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple of Lord Alarnath has been flooded with rainwater.
People had to wade in knee-deep water in the low-lying areas of Braja Nagar, Govind Vihar, Shree Maa Nagar, Ramakrushna Nagar and Shakti Nagar of Berhampur.