Balasore, September 23(Odisha.in) The torrential rain since last three days has played havoc across the coastal Balasore district, with inundating vast areas and triggering flash floods in the northern region on Sunday.
Official sources said, nearly 2 lakh people in 160 villages under at least 44 gram panchayats in six blocks – Sadar, Remuna, Basta, Nilagiri, Soro and Simulia of the district have been affected in the flash floods.
“We have so far evacuated over a thousand villagers and they have been given shelter in schools and cyclone shelters. As the rain is still continuing, the situation will remain grim on Monday,” said emergency officer Bhagaban Behera.
The low-lying areas of Balasore town have been flooded forcing people to take temporary shelter on the highlands inside the town.
The incessant rain has triggered flash floods in Jalaka, Budhabalanga, Sono, Gangahar and Kansabansa rivers.
While Jalaka river continued to remain above danger mark for the consecutive second day, river Budhabalanga crossed danger level on Sunday. The rest three rivers also were flowing above danger level.
Sources said, the water level in Budhabalanga was 9 meter, while in Jalaka it was 7.56 meter against the danger level of 8.13 meter and 5.5 m, respectively.
The district has, so far, received an average of 163.4 mm rainfall Khaira block being the highest 258 mm, followed by Oupada 240 mm, Nilagiri 235 mm, Remuna 207 mm, Bahanaga 197 mm, Simulia 165 mm and Balasore Sadar 142 mm.
“This was fifth flood in Jalaka river in this season. Earlier thrice the river was in spate causing extensive damage to Basta block. We are on high alert and keeping strict vigil on river embankments,” told Basta Tahasildar Prasanta Das.
The turbulent water of these rivers has breached some embankments, marooning thousands acres of agricultural fields and inundating river-side villages.
Road communication to most of the parts of Basta, Sadar, Remuna and Nilagiri blocks have been disrupted with flood water flowing over some of the major roads.
“Villagers have taken shelter in safer places in the affected villages while power boats and one unit of Orissa disaster rapid action force have been engaged for relief and rescue operations,” Balasore Collector A C Padhiary told.
Meanwhile, one Kabita Nayak (60) of Station area in the town was killed when a portion of wall collapsed on her. The district administration however has not confirmed the death.
Odisha.in