Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

Jalaka River in Balasore has started swelling following heavy rainfall due to the low pressure over Bay of Bengal. The situation has triggered chances of flood like situation in the district.

According to reports, Jalaka River was flowing at 5.6 metres as against the danger level of 5.5 metres at Mathani under Basta block. The water level in the river is continuously increasing.

Locals have claimed that if the current situation continues, the area will be affected by severe flood.

“If there will be a breach in the embankment, as many as five gram panchayats under Basta block and two panchayats under Sadar block will be inundated in the flood,” said Rabindra Jain a villager.

“Local people are witnessing flood almost every year in Jalaka River and suffering huge losses. Thousands acre of farmlands are lying submerged causing damage to the cultivation. Many villagers are also getting waterlogged which is leaving little scope for mobility band transportation,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, with another low pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activities in several parts of Odisha in the coming days.

(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)

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