After a few days’ respite, the plight of the flood-affected villagers in Baleswar district worsened once again as Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga and Jalka rivers swelled on Monday due to depression rains.
According to the district Emergency Office sources, water level in all these rivers was in a upward trend thought they were flowing below their respective warning levels.
It too said that release of water into these rivers from dams is being monitored now and then.
On Sunday, upper catchment areas of Subarnarekha in Jharkhand and Budhabalanga in Simlipal experienced heavy rains. Besides, flow of excess rainwater from West Bengal has created problems in the Bhograi area. Several pockets of Baleswar witnessed moderate to heavy rains on Monday.
“The average rain fall in last 24 hours is 28 mm. An officer deployed by Army has been constantly monitoring rains and water release from dams,” said District Emergency Offier T Padmanabh Dora.
The breach which was formed in Dahamunda has been closed and further work was in progress to heighten the portion of the embankment, he said.
About 291 tube wells have been disinfected and 1,100 kg of bleaching powder and about 20,000 water pouches have been distributed in the affected area. Similarly, more than 30,000 halogen tablets have been distributed. A total of 110 houses, including 12 fully, have been damaged due to the floods.
About 1.75 lakh people have been affected while the crop damage was yet to be assessed. The cattle feed and vaccines, including for FMD, have been sent to the affected patches, Dora said.