BHUBANESWAR: Odisha is battling its fifth round of floods in less than two months leaving more than one lakh people across 27 blocks in Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Jajpur districts affected.
Even as water levels in the Subarnarekha and Baitarani rivers have recorded a declining trend, in Balasore, more than 35,740 people from 214 affected villages have been evacuated and shifted to 72 relief shelters. The situation in Jajpur and Mayurbhanj also remained grim with several areas inundated following flooding in the Baitarani and its tributaries, including Salandi and Budhabalanga.
In Mayurbhanj, residents of 97 villages and two wards of Baripada municipality have been affected. Around 29 relief camps are currently operational, providing shelter to 10,501 people. Over 104 houses had been damaged in the district, officials said.
In Jajpur, 62 villages in Dasarathpur block continued to remain inundated following a breach in the Kani river, a tributary of the Baitarani, near Patana village. Many residents are still taking shelter on embankments.
Subarnarekha was the only major river flowing above the danger mark. At Rajghat, its water level stood at 10.57 metres at 3 pm, though it was showing a falling trend, indicating a gradual improvement in the situation over the next day. The state government said the overall flood situation was improving and remained under control.
Water levels in all other major rivers were showing a declining trend, while rainfall activity had also reduced significantly.
The situation is being monitored by the state government in coordination with district administrations. Relief, response and restoration measures are continuing in the affected areas, the office of the Special Relief Commissioner said.
A total of 47 response teams have been deployed across the affected districts on Thursday, including 21 ODRAF teams, four NDRF teams and 22 Fire and Emergency Services teams.
In Jajpur, three ODRAF teams have been deployed. Mayurbhanj has six ODRAF and 13 Fire and Emergency Services teams, while Balasore has 12 ODRAF, four NDRF and nine Fire and Emergency Services teams engaged in rescue and response operations.