As many as ten districts in Odisha recorded rainfall above 200 mm in the past 24 hours, informed Odisha Special Relief Commission (SRC) Pradeep Jena in a press briefing on Tuesday.
Similarly, nine districts received rainfall between 100 and 200 mm during the period.
The highest-ever rainfall was recorded in Angul and Sonepur districts of the State in the last 24 hours. While Talcher in Angul recorded maximum rainfall of 394 mm, Biramaharajpur in Sonepur saw 372 mm rainfall and Sonepur town received 282.8 mm rainfall, respectively during the period.
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Similarly, Boudhgarh in Boudh recorded 262 mm rainfall followed by Patnagarh in Bolangir (251 mm), Banarpal in Angul (245.6 mm), Bolangir (240 mm), Hindol in Dhenkanal (239 mm), Paikmal in Bargarh (237 mm), Kantamal in Boudh (232 mm), Parjang in Dhenkanal (226 mm), Belpada in Bolangir (217 mm), Bari in Jajpur (211 mm), Phiringia in Kandhamal (209.8 mm), Gaisilet in Bargarh (206.2 mm), Mahanga in Cuttack (205 mm) and Angul (201 mm).
Sharing the details of the flood situation in major rivers of the State, SRC PK Jena informed, “Jalaka River is flowing above danger mark. Baitarani River has also swelled and officials have been put on alert for any emergency situation. The water level might breach the danger level but the situation will remain under control,” Jena added.
The water level of Hirakud meanwhile stood at 626.27 feet against its storage capacity of 630 feet. While the upstream areas of the dam have witnessed 46.46 mm rain, the downstream areas have experienced 122.94 mm rain in last two days. Around 1.95 lakh cusec of water is entering the dam per second and the inflow is expected to rise, stated the SRC.
Considering the situation at the upper and lower catchment areas, the Water Resources Department and dam authorities will take a decision regarding the opening of the gates of Hirakud to avoid flood, added Jena.
The average rainfall in the State in the past two days has been estimated at 156 mm while the average rainfall till date in September has been recorded at 154 mm, said the Odisha SRC.
Agricultural lands in 28 districts, excluding Ganjam and Sundargarh have been inundated and houses have been damaged. Livestocks has also been killed in several rain-related incidents. Some roads have also been submerged. All the departments have been instructed to assess the damages occurred due to the rainfall and submit a report as soon as possible so that adequate measures can be taken within two weeks, Jena said.
Meanwhile, the deep depression weakened into a depression and lies centered about 80km west-NW of Jharsuguda and about 120 km south-SE of Ambikapur. The system is likely to move west-NW across north Chhattisgarh and MP and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area during the next 48 hours, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD).