JAJPUR: River Baitarani was flowing above the red mark in Akhuapada and Devigada ghat in Jajpur town and Dasarathpur of the district on Monday. There is, however, no immediate flood threat as river Brahmani is flowing below the danger level.
Incessant rain in catchment areas for the last three days has led to rise of water level in Baitarani and Brahmani rivers across the district, triggering fear of flash flood. As per the Met Department, the district will get more rain in next 24 hours due to low pressure in Bay of Bengal.
Collector Ranjan Kumar Das said the district administration is prepared to face any eventuality. Field officials have been directed to remain present in their respective areas and leaves of Government employees were cancelled.
Sources said Baitarani is rising alarmingly because of heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area. On Monday evening, the river was flowing at 18.30 m against the danger level of 17.83 m at Akhuapada. Similarly at Dasarathpur, it was flowing at 10 m against the red mark of 9.52 m.
River Budha, a tributary of Baitarani, is also flowing much above the danger mark leading to flooding of some low-lying villages in two blocks of the district.On Monday evening, Brahmani was flowing at 20.30 m against the red mark of 22 m at Jenapur. In the last 24 hours, the district got 30 mm of rainfall.