BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Government on Thursday sounded flood alert for Dhenkanal, Jajpur and Kendrapara districts after 10 gates of Rengali reservoir were opened following heavy rains in the upstream.The Revenue and Disaster Management Department said, flood water from Rengali would pass into Brahmani river which may cause flood in low to medium scale in the downstream affecting the three districts.
Though flood water receded in Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj signalling an improvement in situation, fresh floods were expected in Dhenkanal, Jajpur and Kendrapara districts located in the downstream of Brahmani.Collectors were put on alert to face any eventuality and Water Resources Department was asked to control flow of Birupa river to minimise its contribution to Brahmani.
Till last reports came in, Brahmani was flowing at 179.90 m at Panposh, above the danger mark of 178 m. At Jenapur, the river was closing in to the danger level of 23 m as the river was showing a rising trend.
Meanwhile, flood in Brahmani and its tributaries and distributaries inundated some parts of Kuanrmunda and Subdega blocks as well as Sundargarh Municipality and Rourkela Municipal Corporation in Sundargarh.
The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office said as many as 1,600 people were evacuated and taken to safe shelters in the district. Dry food has also been provided to the flood-hit and free kitchens opened for them. An ODRAF team and the local fire service teams have been deployed in relief and rescue operations. Both Koel and Ib had crossed the danger mark but were starting to recede.
The flood situation in Jajpur and Bhadrak districts has, however, improved as Baitarani receded. People evacuated in the two districts have returned to their homes and damage assessment will be taken up soon, the Department said. Out of two women, who had drowned in Bhadrak, body of Amita Nayak was recovered.
Subarnarekha which caused damage in Balasore started receding at Jamsholaghat though it showed a rising trend at Rajghat. Latest estimates said more than 25,000 people in 29 villages under seven gram panchayats of Baliapal and 63 villages under 19 GPs of Bhogarai blocks have been affected by the flood.
Meanwhile, Development Commissioner R Balakishnan, Home Secretary Asit Kumat Tripathy and Secretary, Forest and Environment Department Suresh Chandra Mohapatra visited Jajpur, Rayagada and Bhadrak districts respectively to assess the flood situation.