Orissa issues flood alert in 2 districts

The Orissa government on Thursday sounded a high alert in Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts as the water level of Subarnarekha river rose at an alarming rate.

About 3 lakh cusec of water is released by Jharkhand from Galudih dam.

“The release of the excess water from Galudih barrage in Jharkhand is likely to create high flood in the Subarnarekha basin area, especially in Rasagobindpur block of Mayurbhanj district and Jaleswar, Basta, Baliapal and Bhogarai areas in Balasore districts. Keeping this in view, the collectors of these two districts are asked to ensure that flood preparedness arrangements are in place,” state deputy relief commissioner Prabhat Mohapatra said.

Mr Mohapatra further said collectors of the two districts had been asked to deploy Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire Services personnel available in their respective districts at strategic locations to take up search and rescue operations.

“The collectors have also been asked to quickly assess the situation and if necessary, intimate the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) about any additional requirement they may need,” the DRC said.

Instructions have been given to them to keep the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) updated about the situation at regular intervals, he added.

As per the reports, heavy rains have lashed upper catchments of Subarnarekha in the last 24 hours with Jamshedpur recording the highest rainfall at 185 mm forcing the authorities of Galudih barrage to release excess water in the lower catchments.

Till reports last came in, the barrage was releasing 2.85 lakh cusecs of water per second.