Torrential rains, triggered by a low pressure over the Bay of Bengal, have led to threat of floods for the second time within two weeks in the rivers Brahmani and Baitarani and their tributaries in Jajpur district. People living in the low-lying areas along the riverbanks in Badchana, Bari, Jajpur and Dharmasala blocks have been asked to move to safer locations. “last week, my six-room thatched house
collapsed in the floods. Since last three days, I along with my three sons have been trying to rebuild the house. But the fresh flood warning has left us extremely worried,” said Ratnakar Jena, a farmer of Bari.
“At an emergency meeting on Friday, the district administration assessed the impact of flooding due to incessant rains as very critical as gushing waters threatened to swallow more villages in vulnerable parts of the district,” said district Collector Anil Samal. Many riverside areas are inundated and communication links have broken down.