BHUBANESWAR: Northern Odisha districts stared at flash floods after the depression, still stationary over the Bay of Bengal, triggered heavy rains in the catchments of Baitarani and Subarnarekha rivers leaving them in spate.
Anticipating more rains in the next 48 hours, the State Government on Tuesday mobilised search and rescue teams to five districts. One unit of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) was moved to Jajpur district to help the district administration in case the situation worsened.
In the last 24 hours, Baitarani basin was lashed by an average 95.6 mm rain, while Subarnarekha catchment received 99 mm. As a result, Baitarani crossed the danger level of 38.36 metres at Anandpur and was flowing at 39.45 metres. At Akhuapada, the river flow touched the 18.52-metre mark against the danger mark of 17.83 metres.
Similarly, Subarnarekha crossed the danger level of 49.15 metres at Jamsolaghat and is flowing at 53 metres. Both the rivers were showing receding trend in the evening.
However, the India Meteorological Department said the rainfall will increase as the depression will remain practically unmoved for the next 24 hours. “It is expected to move southwestwards and cross the coast near Odisha and West Bengal border near Balasore around July 30-31,” Director of IMD, Odisha, Sarat Chandra Sahu said.
As a result, heavy to very heavy showers are expected on July 30 and 31. In the next 24 hours, rainfall in the range of 51-100 mm is expected, whereas during the subsequent 24 hours, it will induce more than 100 mm rain.
..Meanwhile, Tiring in Mayurbhanj received a whopping 234 mm rain followed by 211 mm rain in Rairangpur in the last 24 hours. Paradip, Kendrapara, Pattamundai, Sompatna, Jajpur, Akhuapada and Jenapur recorded over 145 mm rain.
sahu said Keonjhar, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur districts recorded the highest rainfall.
Keeping the situation in view, the district administrations have been asked to gear up their preparedness. The ODRAF unit at Cuttack has been moved to Jajpur. The unit is equipped with sic boats, four inflatable tower lights and other search and rescue equipment, the Special Relief Commissioner’s office said.
The Fire Service units in these districts are also ready with boats and other equipment and manpower. At least nine persons were rescued and shifted to safety at Motangapal under Korei block of Jajpur.