Balasore flood: Over 11000 rescued to safety, situation to remain grim for next 24-48 hrs

With the flood situation continuing to remain grim in Balasore, rescue and relief operations have been expedited in the district with over 11,000 people evacuated to safety.

The overflowing Subarnarekha, Budhabalang and Jalaka rivers led to flooding in the district following heavy rainfall in the wake of a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.

The Special Relief Commissioner's office, in a report, said that as many as 11,632 people have been evacuated to safe places as floodwater has inundated 141 villages in Balasore district.

"The state government has opened 51 free kitchens and the people evacuated have been provided with cooked food," an official said.

Similarly, 1,603 people were evacuated in neighbouring Mayurbhanj district as floodwater entered 101 villages. Low-intensity flooding was also reported in Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts, the official said.

Meanwhile, Chandra Sekhar Padhi, Engineer-in-Chief of the Department of Water Resources said the situation will remain grim for the next 24-48 hours in Bhogarai and Baliapal areas as Subarnarekha River will take a few more hours to subside.

Subarnarekha River is flowing above the danger mark at Rajghat and Jamshola, while Jalaka and Budha Balanga Rivers are flowing below the danger mark. 

“The flooding will subside gradually in Bhogarai, Baliapal, Basta and Jaleswar. It will take another 24-48 hours. The full moon has slowed down the release of flood water," Padhi said.