Flood in Odisha: Baitarani river crosses danger mark

Bhubaneswar: The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has asked Collectors of four districts to remain alert as heavy downpour caused floods in Bhadrak district and the Baitarani river crossed its danger mark near Akhuapada on Saturday.

The SRC asked the district collectors of Keonjhar, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Kendrapada to alert field functionaries and administrative officials.

The Baitarani river was flowing at 18.47 metres at Akhuapada as against the danger mark of 17.83 metres.

Meanwhile, around 400 villages under 70 Gram Panchayats in Bhadrak district have been submerged in flood water. Besides, road communication in many parts of the district has been snapped as several main roads in various blocks have been flooded.

Though the district did not receive rain on Friday, the flood water is yet to recede from different places. Several areas in Bhadrak, Bhandaripokhari, Chandabali and Dhamnagar blocks and many wards in Bhadrak Municipality are still waterlogged. Adding to the woes of the people, flood water from Salandi river submerged paddy and vegetable crops in hundreds of acres of land here.

Meanwhile, several areas of Hatadihi and Ghasipura blocks in Keonjhar district have also been affected by the overflowing of Baitarani.

The water level has touched 37.16 metres at Rajghat.