Heavy rainfall in Odisha districts; Rivers in spate

Bhubaneswar: Incessant rain in past 24 hours created havoc across south-interior districts of Odisha with several rivers flowing above the danger marks.

While the Bansadhara River crossed the danger marks in Kashinagar and Gunupur, three gates of Machkund reservoir were opened this morning due to rise of water level.

“Currently, the water level of Bansadhara River at Kashinagar block in Gajapati district is 55.75 metre, which is above the danger mark of 54.6 metre. Around 200 people have been rescued from Sara village under the block and kept at schools,” said Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi.

Meanwhile, the Bansadhara River water is flowing above the danger mark at Gunupur in Rayagada district.

“The danger mark of the river at Gunupur is 84 metre, but water is flowing at 85.10 metre. The residents of urban areas of Gudari inundated with water have been shifted to safe locations in Rayagada district. Even, 70 people have been shifted from low lying area of Bisam Cuttack,” the SRC said.

In Malkangiri, the water is flowing over low lying bridges. The ODRAF teams have been deployed in Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada and Kashinagar, he said.

Three blocks in Odisha witnessed record rainfall in the past 24 hours. Kalahandi’s Lanjigarh received the highest rainfall with 382.6 mm followed by Rayagada’s Kashipur (317.4 mm) and Kotagarh in Kandhamal district (308 mm).

Similarly, seven blocks recorded 200-300 mm rainfall and 67 blocks had rainfall between 100-200 mm till today morning.

“The normalcy has been affected due to heavy rain. The district administrations have been asked to monitor the situation. Under supervision of district collectors in the flash flood-hit districts, the senior administrative officers including PD DRDA, BDOs, Tehsildars and ADMs are working for rescue and restoration works,” said Sethi.