Bhubaneswar: As Jharkhand has opened 16 sluice gates of Galudih barrage, high floods are expected in Baitarani and Subarnarekha river systems by Sunday afternoon and midnight respectively.
In view of the ensuing high floods, the Collectors of five districts— Jajpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been asked to stay prepared to tackle any untoward situation.
Speaking exclusively to Pragativadi late on Saturday night, Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena informed 4.25 lakh cusecs of water is being released through 16 gates of Jharkhand’s Galudihi Barrage. Initially, 14 gates were being opened and 3.5 lakh cusecs of water were being released by 8 pm, then two more gates were opened.
The water level of Baitarani is increasing steadily. As of 10:00 pm, the water level of Baitarani at Anandpur is at 38.79 meters, which is above the danger level of 38.36 meters. The level of Baitarani is also increasing in Akhuapada. It is estimated that the water will cross the danger level by Sunday morning. In the meanwhile, a high flood expected in the Subarnarekha River is likely to affect Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts. Similarly, flood in the Baitarani River is likely to affect Jajpur, Bhadrak and Kendrapada districts, the Odisha SRC said.
The Special Relief Commissioner has asked Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts to be prepared for high floods and include panchayat representatives and women self-help groups in the rescue operations. He has also advised the immediate evacuation of people living in low-lying areas to safer places, continuing embankment patrol and ensuring the availability of adequate flood fighting materials.
The Odisha SRC said, “By Sunday afternoon Baitarani will witness flood while in Subarnarekha river, the flood water is expected to reach by Sunday midnight”. Two additional NDRF teams, 2 ODRAF teams and 8 Fire Services teams have been sent to Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts on Saturday night to deal with the situation.
Further, the SRC has requested Fire Services DG to send 5 additional ODRAF and Fire Service teams to Jajpur and Bhadrak districts as high floods are expected in the two river systems.
