Bhubaneswar, July 26 (UNI) The Odisha government today directed the District Collectors of Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore to urgently evacuate residents from low-lying areas and initiate relief operations following a worsening flood situation.
Two senior engineers from the Water Resources Department have been deployed to the Subarnarekha and Baitarani river basins to help manage the flood situation amid rising water levels.
According to official sources, water levels in the Subarnarekha, Jalaka, and Baitarani rivers are rising due to heavy rainfall in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts.
In the Baitarani river, the water level at Anandpur has reached 38.82 meters, surpassing the danger mark of 38.36 meters, and continues to rise.
At Akhuapada, the water level stands at 17.98 meters, approaching the danger mark of 18.33 meters. The Central Water Commission (CWC) has forecast it may reach 18.65 meters by 10 pm today.
The Jalaka river at Mathani is flowing at 7.20 meters, above the danger mark of 6.50 meters, though the level remains stable.
In the Subarnarekha river, the level at Jamshola Ghat is 47.92 meters, still below the danger mark of 49.16 meters, but steadily increasing.
At Rajghat, the water level is 7.26 meters, with the danger mark at 10.36 meters. The river is showing a rising trend.
Officials anticipate the peak floodwater level in the Subarnarekha river to reach 11.7 meters by 10 am on July 27.
The State Flood Control Cell under the Water Resources Department is operating round the clock and closely monitoring the evolving situation.
Chief engineers and basin managers of the Subarnarekha-Budhabalang, Mahanadi-Brahmani-Baitarani, and Baitarani systems are coordinating field-level monitoring and response efforts in collaboration with district administrations.
