More than 100 houses in low-lying areas of the city have been submerged in the past 24 hours, amid strong flood threat. levels of the twin rivers, Kharkai and Subarnarekha, are suddenly close to the danger mark after heavy rain in catchments areas and release of water from Banckwel/Kharkai dam in Mayurbhanj district of neighbouring Odisha.
According to Subarnarekha Multipurpose Project (SMP) flood cell, official opening of four sluice gates at Bankawel Dam releasing 142.21 cumec (meter cube) water lifted Kharkhai water level to 131.12 metres (at Adityapur) while that of Subarnarekha stood at 120.18 metres (at Mango) at 2 pm.
Several houses were submerged at Basti area of Baghbera as the local administration sounded an evacuation alert. Around 50 houses are flooded in Mango. Jugsalai and Parsudih have also been hit.
Arrangements for distribution of gram and jaggery are on and the affected will soon be relocated. local civic bodies have been asked to start spraying bleaching powder in shelter areas by Tuesday evening.
The district has been hit by flash floods twice in 2011 and once each in 2008 and 2009.“Weather conditions will remain the same by and large and incessant rains - moderate to heavy - will continue for the next two days,” according to the local meteorological office. An official added that the monsoon was back to life for the past week in the wake of cyclonic circulation over Gangetic Bengal and Bangladesh.
The Seraikela administration is working on arrangements for rescue boats, life jackets, dragon lights, tarpaulin sheets and other safety equipment.