Heavy rains trigger floods in parts of Odisha, normal life hit

Normal life was severely affected in Odisha on Sunday, August 9, as incessant rains triggered by a low-pressure area caused rivers to swell, inundating parts of several districts, officials said.

The water levels in the Baitarani, Salandi, Kani and parts of the Mahanadi river system, which had been receding on Saturday, rose sharply following heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, they said.

Floodwaters inundated several areas of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jajpur districts, affecting villages, agricultural land and roads.

In Balasore, the flood situation in Basta worsened as the water level of the Jalaka river continued to rise following heavy rainfall in its upper catchment areas in Mayurbhanj district, officials said.

Heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas in Chhattisgarh also prompted authorities to open additional gates of the Hirakud Dam. Twelve sluice gates are currently open to discharge floodwater from the reservoir.

The Water Resources Department has directed its officials to closely monitor embankments and advised people in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations if required.

Relief and rescue teams have been kept on standby to deal with any emergency, officials said.

Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast heavy rain in several northern and western districts of the state during the next 24 hours.