BHUBANESWAR/BALASORE: The state government on Sunday sounded a flood alert for Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts following incessant rain in Jharkhand.
The government move came after a rise in water level of Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga and Jalaka rivers, triggering fears of fresh flash floods.
Sources said collectors of both the districts have been asked to expedite evacuation and relief operations. An engineer-in-chief has arrived at Balasore to monitor the situation at the ground level and support in management of flood. Another chief engineer has also been rushed to the district.
According to the Water Resources department, the water level in Subarnarekha stood at 8.41 metre at Rajghat against the danger level of 10.36 metre. It is likely to cross 11.25 metre mark by Monday morning.
Similarly, the water level in Budhabalanga river, which was at 6.94 metre mark at Govindpur against the danger level of 8.13 metre, will touch 8.2 metre at 9 am on Monday. Jalaka river is already flowing at 6.65 metre mark, above the danger level of 6.5 metre. The water level is expected to cross 7.5 metre in next 12 hours.
Meanwhile, the Balasore administration put district officials on alert in view of the heavy rainfall and possible flood-like situation. Collector Suryawanshi Mayur directed ADM (general) Sudhakar Nayak to monitor the situation in low-lying areas of Basta and Jaleswar blocks.
Similarly, ADM (revenue) Hemanta Kumar Singh was instructed to take stock of the situation in Baliapal and Bhograi blocks. Sub-collector Madhusmita Samantaray was asked to keep a watch on Balasore Sadar, Remuna and Nilagiri blocks.
The collector also directed the chief district medical officer to keep health staff in readiness for emergency response and distribution of medicines among people in flood-prone areas.
The administration has asked people of Baliapal, Basta, Bhograi, Jaleswar, Nilagiri, Remuna and Balasore Sadar blocks to remain alert as the water level in Jalaka, Subarnarekha and other rivers is on the rise due to the heavy rainfall.
Sources said the fire services personnel of Basta evacuated nine persons including an infant from Gunduri Sahi which was inundated due to rise in water level of Jalaka river.
