Baripada: Even as cyclone ‘Yaas’ which crossed the north Odisha coast yesterday has weakened into a depression, the impact of the storm is still felt at several places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore and adjoining districts with heavy wind and rain.
According to reports, wind speed of 70-80kmph has been realized in Baripada town and several other places in the district even as the rainfall activities have substantially decreased since early morning.
The water level in river Budhabalanga which witnessed a steady surge due to torrential rain in the upper catchment, is stable now and flowing under danger mark. There is no fear of possible flash flood, locals said as the officials had confirmed the same yesterday.
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“The condition has slightly changed even though wind is blowing still heavily. However, it is a matter of relief that no casualties or injuries have been reported from anywhere in our locality. Water level in Budhabalanga is also stable. I hope the situation would limp back to normalcy in next few hours”, said a morning walker.
“As the water level had started increasing yesterday, some people from our area had been evacuated to safe places. But, the weather condition is improving even though wind speed seems to be around 70-80kmph,” another local said.
The cyclone is moving towards Jharkhand and will weaken gradually. Under its impact, heavy rainfall is expected in the districts bordering Jharkhand. The weather department has issued yellow warnings for Sundergarh and Keonjhar districts. The impact of cyclone was also felt in Deogarh and Sundergarh districts yesterday.
Many villages in Nilagiri area of Balasore which are situated in the foot hills were inundated. Houses in low lying areas were water logged. Moreover, snake and other poisonous reptiles were also seen sneaking into the houses triggering panic among the locals.
“We have shifted our children to safe places as our house is waterlogged. We are also in the grip of fear as many reptiles have snaked into our house. We are living in kutcha house and are yet to get a pucca house under the government scheme,” an elderly woman said at Bankapada village in Nilagiri area of Balasore.
“Some hens and cocks were swept away in the water while we managed to save some of them. We have taken our plight to the notice of RI and Tehsildar many times, but no one had ever come to our rescue during the time of adversity,” she added.
Rain and wind is still continuing in several places in Keonjhar district under the influence of the cyclonic storm. Heavy rain in the upstream may help increase the water level in river Baitarani slightly even though there is no immediate threat of flash flood.
Joda area in the district had recorded maximum 128.6 mm rainfall yesterday while Jhumpura had witnessed 104.4mm rainfall and Hatudi had recorded 105.3mm rain. Keonjhar sadar had registered 96 mm of rainfall yesterday.