River Baitarani Flowing Above Danger Level, SRC Asks 3 Dist Collectors to Be in Readiness to Face Any Eventuality

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Wednesday asked the Collectors of three districts to be in readiness to face any eventuality as river Baitarani is flowing above the danger level due to incessant rain following the depression over Bay of Bengal.

In a letter to the Collectors of Keonjhar, Bhadrak and Jajpur district, SRC Satyabrata Sahu urged them to take all necessary measures to deal with the situation.

Keonjhar has received average rainfall of 140.5 mm, Bhadrak 72.5 mm and Jajpur 79.6 mm during the last 24 hours. The river Baitarani at Anandapur has crossed the danger level and was flowing at 39.70 meter at 12 noon at 2.8.2023, which is 1.34 meter above the danger level. As a result of which Anandapur, Ghasipura and Hatadihi blocks of Keonjhar may be affected. Further due to rising of the Baitarani, Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar and Tihidi blocks of Bhadrak district may also be affected. Korei, Jajpur and Dasarathpur blocks of Jajpur district at the lower catchment of the Baitarani may also be affected, the SRC said.

The SRIC instructed that all field functionaries shall be kept in alert. Local fire and Emergency Services and ODRAF shall be deployed at the strategic locations. The overtopping roads and bridges shall be prohibited for movement of vehicles and public. The engineering personnel of DoWR may be instructed for watch and ward of river embankments, the SRC insisted.
The low lying people which are likely to be affected should be shifted to nearby safe shelters and necessary arrangement for food, water, light may be made. It must be ensured that anti snake venom shall be available in PHC/CHC/DHH.

There are 33 power boats in Bhadrak, 36 power boats in Jajpur and one boat in Keonjhar which may be utilized for relief purposes, the SRC further stated.