North Odisha reels under torrential downpour, flood threat imminent, 1,300 evacuated in Balasore
KEONJHAR/BALASORE/BARIPADA/BHADRAK : North and north-coastal Odisha was in the grip of a flash flood after incessant rainfall, triggered by a deep depression, left major parts of Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts inundated on Tuesday.witnessed widespread waterlogging, with knee-deep water reported in several areas including Madan Kar Gali, Sponge Colony, Jail Road, Parkline, Mandua, Baldevjeev Colony, Banerjee Colony and Kashipur. Uprooted trees also blocked roads at multiple places but were subsequently cleared.
The Baitarani barrage at Anandapur crossed the danger level of 38.360 metre, with the water level expected to rise further. Floodwater submerged roads at several places as Samakoi river swelled, touching the danger level.In Balasore, the flood threat remained high in low-lying areas, with the Jalaka river maintaining a water level of 6.57 metre against the warning level of 6 metre. The river has been receiving water from several areas of Mayurbhanj, including Rasgovindpur, Amarda, Gaon Amarda, as well as parts of Basta, Balasore Sadar, Remuna and Nilagiri.
Heavy rain triggered severe waterlogging in Balasore town, with water entering shops, residential areas and hotels. The rising Budhabalanga river also inundated low-lying settlements near Phuladi, Chidiya Polo, Balia chowk, Remuna and adjoining villages.With water overtopping roads leading to Nilagiri and surrounding villages, the local administration restricted visitors from travelling to the Panchalingeswar shrine. The district administration suspended classes in all schools in view of the heavy rainfall.
District emergency officer of Balasore Chinmay Kumar Rout said around 1,300 people were evacuated to 52 shelters, where hot cooked meals and safe drinking water were being provided. About 357 villages under 95 gram panchayats were affected, while around 300 houses were reportedly damaged by the heavy rains. In neighbouring Mayurbhanj, residents of low-lying areas in Badasahi block remained apprehensive as the Budhabalanga river continued to rise, with floodwater flowing over roads in several areas.
ADM Iswar Chandra Naik said the water level of Budhabalanga at Poda Astia stood at 28 metre, against the warning level of 29 metre. He said 1,800 people in 32 villages across 26 gram panchayats under eight blocks were affected by the heavy rain. The district administration has opened 14 shelters and 12 free kitchens to provide cooked food to affected residents
The national highway-49 had to be shut down for vehicular with the district receiving massive rainfall on the day. Telkoi recorded the highest rainfall at 176.8 mm, followed by Harichandanpur (142.4 mm) and Ghatgaon (139 mm). The situation in Telkoi remained particularly grim, with all 22 panchayats under the block reportedly cut off from the headquarters after rivers and canals swelled and roads were damaged. All schools and anganwadi centres had to be shut till Wednesday. People complained that the district administration did not issue adequate warning about the weather system which led them to be stranded in their houses surrounded by storm