BHADRAK:Flood alert has been issued in Bhadrak district with Baitarani flowing above the red mark and rain lashing the river’s catchment areas.Water level in river Baitarani at Akhuapada crossed the red mark on Monday noon. It is flowing at 18.5 metres against the 17.85 mark. Locals are panicked as rain continues to lash the catchment area. An ODRAF team is carrying out relief and rescue operations.
Flood water has started flowing over Bhandaripokhar-Sarsada road and villages in Dhamnagar block and Bhandaripokhar were water-logged.
Although water level in Kochila, Reba and Ganguti - tributaries of Baitarani - are flowing below the danger mark, water level may rise if it rains for another 24 hours, said District Emergency Office sources. As many as 10 villages in Bhandaripokhari and Dhamnagar have been affected by flash flood in Baitarani.
Bhadrak has received 95.8 mm rain in the last 24 hours, said Rajendra Panda, District Emergency Officer. Baitarani catchment areas in neighbouring Keonjhar district have also been experiencing heavy rainfall for the last 48 hours.Collector Gyanaranjan Das has asked the block and tehsil officials to remain alert and keep a close watch on the embankments. Cyclone shelters have been kept ready and food grains, medicines stocked in them.