JAJPUR: Incessant rain in the upper catchment areas has triggered flood in river Baitarani and its tributaries in Jajpur district.
The river and its tributary, Kani breached at two places on Wednesday. A minor girl of Panasa village under Jajpur block was swept away in the flood water in the afternoon. Even as ODRAF team members launched a search operation to find the girl, she was untraceable till filling of this report.
Flood water entered 10 villages of Jajpur and Korei blocks following a 20-metre breach in Baitarani right embankment at Ganeswarpur under Malahat gram panchayat. Similarly, water entered four villages of Kasapa panchayat under Dasarathapur block due a breach in Kani river embankment at Chhatrapada.
“Flood water of Baitarani and Kani has marooned over 6000 people of 14 villages under three blocks in the district,” informed Namita Barik, District Emergency Officer of Jajpur.
She said following flood in Baitarani and its tributaries Kani and Budha, most parts of Jajpur, Korei and Dasarathpur blocks in the district are likely to be badly affected. Repair work on the breach in Baitarani embankment at Ganeshpur is on in full swing, she added.
Flood water in Baitarani was flowing above the danger mark at Akhuapada and Dasarathpur. Due to constant rise in river water level, agricultural lands in four blocks have been inundated. Collector, Satya Kumar Malik said both NDRF and ODRAF teams have been deployed in the marooned areas. Besides, the fire fighters have been kept ready to help in rescue works.
At least 4749 hectares of crops have been damaged due to the flood.