Rivers flow above red mark in South Odisha

Water levels continued to rise in many rivers in southern Odisha following heavy rains in their catchment areas and release of surplus water from various reservoirs.

 Water level in rivers like the Bansadhara, the Sileru, the Saptadhara, the Patali, the Indravati, the Udanti and the Kolab have already crossed the red mark.

 By Sunday noon, the water level of the Bansadhara at Kashinagar was 53.61 metre, above the warning level of 53.60 metre while the danger level is 54 metre.

The region received about 120-mm rainfall in the past 24 hours, the highest-ever in the first week of August.

 As a result of flash flood in Kolab, the Indravati, the Jonra, the Ultajhora and the Sapatadhara rivers, many nearby low-lying areas have been marooned. Several villages of Jeypore, Borrigumma, Kotpad and Kosagumuda blocks reported incessant rains for the second consecutive day on Sunday. Surrounded by the Surli and the Indravati rivers, around 5,000 villagers of Sadranaga, Damnahandi and Bansuli areas under Kotpad block in Koraput district have been affected.

 Due to the heavy downpour, crops in thousands of hectares have been washed away and hundreds of thatched houses damaged.

Vehicular communication to different blocks, Jeypore and Koraput sub-division has been cut off as culverts and roads were washed away. In Koraput, normal life was hit on Sunday. Markets and offices remained closed because of heavy rains. Roads wore a deserted look.  Senior revenue officials are camping in Kotpad block to oversee the situation.

Official sources said district officials had been asked to remain alert as rainfall was likely to continue for the next two days due to low pressure which might lead to a flood-like situation.