BHADRAK: River Baitarani continues to be in spate in Bhadrak district for the third day on Wednesday.
Its tributaries too, are flowing above the danger level. According to sources in District Emergency office, the water level at Akhupada was 18.15 metre against the danger level of 17.83, on Wednesday evening.
The district administration announced that a boy died in flash flood in the district on Tuesday. Identified as Babula Pradhan (10) of Simulia village, he was swept away in the flood water at Bhatasahi in Dhamnagar block. Rescue team has recovered his body. Over 60,000 persons in 35 villages of five blocks including Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari, Bhadrak, Tihidi and Bonth have been affected, while people of 13 panchayats are marooned by the flood water.
Apparently, the district administration has not been able to reach out to the flood-hit villagers yet due to lack of communication. People have taken shelter in anganwadi centres, schools and cyclone shelters.
Vehicular communication between Bhadrak and Aradi, Aradi and Jajpur, and Bhadrak and Agarapada has not been restored as water is flowing over roads at many points.
Over 10,000 hectares (ha) of land in which farmers had cultivated paddy, have been submerged. Crops in 42 panchayats of Bonth, Bhadrak, Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar and Tihidi have been damaged. “An assessment of crop and property loss will be done once the flood water recedes,” said Raj Kishore Pattnaik, District Emergency Officer.
He added that when the flood water starts receding in the next two days, it will cause damage in Tihidi and Chandbali blocks.
The district administration has stocked essential commodities and medicines in block headquarters and tehsildars have been asked to open free kitchens.