Even though receded, the Subarnarekha river was still flowing much above the danger level and many villages under Bhograi and Baliapal blocks continued to remain marooned in the floodwater.
The flood water has entered into several villages and submerged thousands of acres of agriculture fields in the low lying patches.
The Agriculture Department, in its preliminary assessment, said more than 1,200 hectares of cultivable land were inundated.
The road communications was disrupted in several pockets of the two blocks due to running of water.
Baliapal BDO Minati Jagdeo informed that 10 power boats and 12 country boats were engaged as means of communication at different places.
“About 50 people from Rasalpur GP had been evacuated and sheltered at a safer place. However, they have gone back to their homes after water receded. About 40,000 people of 37 villages under 10 GPs have been affected. A team of NDRF is assisting affected people in crossing running water through boats,” said Jagdeo.
Similarly, road communication in Bhograi has been disrupted due to running of water on the road near Batagram and other low lying pockets.
Bhograi BDO Chittaranjan Sethi informed that at least 45 villages under 12 GPs in the down patches were affected by the floodwater.
Repots also mentioned that several low patches of Jaleswar block in the proximity to the river bank witnessed severe waterlogging problems.
Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department said the water level of Subarnarekha is receding with water inflow from Galudi barrage declining and, hence, there would be considerable improvement within next 24 hours.
“The water level was recorded at 11.07 against 10.36 metre danger level at Rajghat. But the level is declining at a faster rate as water is discharged from Galudi barrage through three gates against earlier eight gates. About 1,325 cumec water is discharged from the Galudi barrage,” said Irrigation Executive Engineer Niranjan Mahalik.
He said the water level of the Budhabalanga and the Jalaka has gone down much below the danger level.