The Jalpaiguri District Magistrate, Moumita Godara Basu confirmed the death toll as seven.
"Several people assembled at the Mal river bank at 9 p.m. when the flash flood swept several people. The administration immediately stopped the immersion of idols there. By late Wednesday evening seven bodies had been recovered. Nearly 40 persons have been rescued who were swept by the flash flood and got stuck on a local island," the District Magistrate said.
Flash flood at the Malbazar river during Durga Viserjan. More than 100 people missing. No one knows how many dead! Many trying to save their loved ones! A black day for my home town. We need all your prayers. Pray for us.. pic.twitter.com/RCWwpt5bVW
— Vikram Agarwal (@Vikram_Tub) October 5, 2022
Jalpaiguri's District Police Superintendent, Debarshi Dutta said that initially only two bodies were recovered and as the rescue operations started five more bodies were recovered.
"The rescue operations are being conducted by teams of district police, State Disaster Management Department and the National Disaster Response Force," Dutta added.
However, state police sources said that because of the evening hours, the rescue teams are facing difficulties in the rescue operations.
JALPAIGURI (WEST BENGAL): 7 DEAD & SEVERAL MISSING AFTER WATER LEVEL ROSE DUE TO FLASH FLOOD IN MAL RIVER IN JALPAIGURI DISTRICT DURING IMMERSION. Really Tragic! #BreakingNews #Tragedy #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/2ECf1AmVXS
— Upadhi Gulati (@UpadhiGulati) October 5, 2022
"It will take some more hours, at least till tomorrow morning, to gauge the exact number of casualties and missing persons so far," a district police official said.
He also added that the exact number of missing persons are yet to be ascertained.
The local Trinamool Congress MLA from Mal Assembly constituency, Bulu Chik Baraik said that besides the administration the local people are also assisting the rescue teams in their operations.
"The evening hours are posing difficulty in swift rescue operations," he added.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), PK Jena on Wednesday said that as per the preliminary reports, more than 3,000 houses have been damaged in various rain-related incidents which also claimed the lives of four (4) people in different parts of the State. 1.30 lakh hectares of agricultural land has also been affected, he added.
According to Jena, several parts of Chhattisgarh and the upper catchment areas received heavy rainfall in the past couple of days. Till yesterday, around 3.5 lakh cusecs of water was entering the Hirakud dam and six sluice gates of the reservoir were opened keeping in view of the water level in Tel river.
As per the latest information, the water level at Hirakud dam now stands at 628.23 ft against the full capacity of 630ft. Excess water is being released through 12 gates. The current inflow into the dam is 2,98,000 cusecs per second while the outflow is 2,25,000 cusecs.
“Following discussions with officials of Hirakud dam and Water Resources Department and others, we have decided to keep the water level of Hirakud at 628 ft. The Water Resources department has decided to keep the inflow of 7 lakh cusecs or more at Mundali. Hence, we are expecting low to medium flood to pass through,” said Jena.
The SRC further said, “We anticipate that there will be no major problems in low lying areas down the Mahanadi stream. Concerned officials have been directed to keep a close watch on river embankments. There will be no adverse impact even if 5 to 6 more gates of Hirakud dam are opened.”
Following incessant rains, the water levels had risen alarmingly, endangering lives of the duo. The two linemen were restoring electricity supply to a village on the other side of the river. The employees tried to cross the river by hanging on the cables using their safety belts but to no avail.
They got stuck in the middle above the raging river due to the considerable distance between the two banks of Surya. Receiving information, the district authorities immediately sent NDRF personnel to the spot, who managed to successfully rescue the duo. The rescue operation by the NDRF team has gone viral on social media.
Water is running over 2 feet high on Pateru bridge as a result of swelling in water level of Pateru river. Similarly, water has submerged roads at Kankerkonda and Kanyashram in the district.
Over 4 feet high water is flowing on Kankerkonda road due to which vehicular communication has been disrupted at Motu road.
Also Read: Four killed, six soldiers missing in Uttarakhand floods
The situation in Balasore district is also being monitored, officials said.
The state government has already mobilised ODRAF, NDRF and fire services personnel to the flood-prone areas and kept power boats ready for the rescue-and-relief operations.
Though the flood waters had not entered any village till 12 noon, road communication had been disrupted at some places with the water flowing on the roads, said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi.
The water was flowing above the danger level in the Baitarani, Burhabalang, Subarnarekha and Jalaka rivers, SRC office sources said.
According to the information available from the water resources department, the water level of the Baitarani, recorded at 16.16 metres, crossed the danger mark of 17.83 metres at Akhuapada.
However, it had fallen slightly at Anandapur at 12 noon, the sources said.
The Burhabalang though was rising steadily, triggering a flood threat in Balasore district.
The Subarnarekha was also swelling with the water level already having crossed the danger mark at Jamsolaghat and Rajghat, the sources added.
The Jalaka river, which mostly causes floods in the Bhadrak district, is also swelling. The water level has already risen to 6.01 metres as against the danger mark at 5.50 metres.
According to the SRC, around 14 gram panchayats in the Dhamnagar block could be flooded.
The Bhadrak district collector is camping at Dhamnagar, where an ODRAF team, equipped with power boats, has also been deployed for rescue-and-relief operations.
IMD sources said, a well-marked low pressure might cause the rains to intensify over the next 24 hours in north Odisha, where a threat of a flood-like situation was looming large.
Meanwhile, the authorities of the Hirakud reservoir have opened 10 sluice gates, discharging 1,73,323 cusecs of water downstream of the Mahanadi river.
The water level at the reservoir at 12 noon was recorded at 608.62 feet as against its highest level of 630 feet. The inflow to the reservoir was 1,80,128 cusecs, the sources said.
The Collectors of Jajpur, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Sundergarh have been alerted to face any possible eventuality, deputy relief commissioner said. "You are requested to remain in full preparedness to face any eventuality. Please ensure that field officials are in their respective position," a communication from the office of the SRC to the collectors said.
As per Met prediction, heavy rain is likely to occur in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Deogarh, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sonepur and Sundergarh under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal which may trigger a low pressure area over Bay of Bengal in next 24 hours. There are chances of flash flood in major rivers like Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha, Baitarani and Brahmani due to incessant rains in the upstream. Even coastal and interior Odisha may also witness moderate rainfall, he added.
Fishermen have been advised to be cautious while venturing into the sea along and off the Odisha coast as sea condition is likely to prevail moderate to rough due to Southwesterly wind flow with speed reaching 40-45 kmph gusting 55 kmph along and off Odisha coast, said IMD.
SRC Bishnupada Sethi said all precautionary measures have been taken to face the possible calamity. "All major rivers are still flowing under danger level except Baitarani which has crossed the danger mark at Akhuapada near Anandpur in Keonjhar district. We have alerted the district Collectors in the lower catchment area of the river. One ODRAF team has been mobilised to Keonjhar . Water Resources engineers have kept a close eye on the rivers. All measures have been taken to evacuate people if any such situation arises,” Sethi added.
Official sources said, the gates of the dam would be opened for discharge of flood waters after ceremonial puja at around 10 am, informed chief engineer Harmohan Pradhan.
The administrations in 12 districts – Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Angul, Boudh, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Phulbani, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur and Puri – would be also be asked to stay alert following the release of flood water.
Also Read: Odisha seeks choppers as flash flood situation in Kalyansinghpur remains grim
Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan on Friday informed that various departments including flood hit Kalahandi and Rayagada have been asked to submit a detailed damage assessment report by July 24.
According to reports, over 30,000 people in over 50 villages in Kalyansinghpur block have been affected in the flash floods that occurred on July 16.
Four bridges including a railway bridge and 19 major roads have also been washed away in the floods while restoration work has been undertaken on war footing
The boundary wall surrounding the airport to a length of around 100 mts collapsed due to the torrential rain triggered by low pressure as a result of which rain water from the airport entered into the nearby Kargil slum.
Locals alleged the wall collapsed as it was weak following which the rain water entered into their homes.
However, the temporary barricade work is in progress at the airport.
Meanwhile, additional Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) manpower has been deployed around the area.
"The fall of wall will have no effect on flight operations at the Bhubaneswar Airport," said an airport official.
The woman, identified as Rame Padiami of Keriaguda village under Pidia block in the district, was on the way to a nearby hospital in a 108 ambulance after being injured in a wall collapse incident due to the torrential rain. However, the ambulance got stuck near Kankerkonda.
As per the latest report, the ambulance is still unmoved due to overflowing water level.
Meanwhile, three overbridges have been submerged in water on Kalimela-Motu route for up to 70 kms cutting off communication in the region.
Also Read: Flood situation grim in Kalyansighpur; 70 percent areas still marooned
Communication between Nabarangpur and Kalahandi was disrupted as flood water is flowing above an under construction bridge near Dhansuli in Nabarangpur district.
Around 300 families of 20 panchayats under Kalyansinghpur block of Rayagada district were also mostly affected by the deluge. Several roads and bridges crossing across Nagavali river were also damaged in the flood at many places.
Total 30 villages in Kalyansighpur block were marooned due to the flash floods.
While Kumbharaguda village was washed away completely, relief materials were airdropped for flood victims in marooned Majhiguda and Kattaguda villages.
In Thuamula Rampur of Kalahandi district, total 24 panchayats were trapped in the flash floods.
Vehicular traffic was disrupted due to flow of water above the bridge on Hati river near Jungada. The woes mounted due to heavy rains accompanied by strong wind caused more damages in Thuamula Rampur block.
More areas will be inundated due to rise in water levels in Sandul river.
Total 70 families of Palasapada village have taken shelter at the Talabela panchayat office in Bhawanipatna after flash floods damaged houses and submerged the area.
Death toll in the flash floods in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts rose to two on Monday while eight others were injured as the State government stepped up relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who reviewed the flood situation at the state secretariat, said, "The situation in Rayagada and Kalahandi district is improving and is under control. Free kitchens have been opened in affected areas. Air dropping of relief materials has been undertaken in Rayagada."
The reports on the death of two persons came from Kalahandi district, special relief commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said.
While one person died in a landslide, another man drowned, Sethi said, adding three persons were injured after a wall collapsed in Kalahandi district.
Similarly, five persons were injured in wall collapse incidents in Rayagada district and all of them were admitted to government hospitals, the SRC office said.
The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack have also been affected due to the incessant rainfall since Saturday.
The local administrations have been undertaking water removal jobs using pump sets in low lying areas of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, official sources said.
State BJP Vice President Sameer Mohanty, in a press meet on Sunday, alleged that absence of any project on prominent five rivers of Odisha - Bansadhara, Nagavali, Jhanjabati, Mahendra Tanaya and Rushikulya - to check such situation paved way for the hazard.
Addressing media persons, Mohanty said, "The Chief Minister who is in charge of the Water Resources Department is only reviewing the situation. Such a situation would have avoided had any projects been constructed on the river."
Mohanty added that the BJP activists of Southern Odisha have been asked to visit the affected areas and extend support to the people.
Incessant rains and an unprecedented rise in the water level of the Nagavali and Kalyani River triggered flash floods in Kalyansingpur block in Rayagada district on Sunday. Twelve villages of Kalyansinghpur and Rayagada are affected due to the flash flood.
Besides rail track in between Therubali and Singapur stations have been washed away by the flood water.
In a similar situation in Kalahandi district, vehicular communication between Junagarh and Dharmagarh, Bhawanipatna, Nabarangpur came to a standstill as water in Hati River has crossed bridge level due to incessant rain in upper catchment and release of surplus water from the Indravati reservoir.
Communication between Gunupur and Thuamul Rampur was severely affected as water crossed the bridge level on Nagabali River.
Met Department has predicted more rain in Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur and said it will continue till next three days. Water level in Rushikulya and Bansadhara may rise if rain continues, informed regional Met office and advised fishermen not to venture into sea.
Out of those affected, over 11,000 people were evacuated to safe locations as their homes were inundated due to continuous rains, Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre was cited as saying by Xinhua news agency.
As of Monday morning, flood waters were receding and the situation was normalizing but people were told to remain cautious as more rains were expected in the coming days, said Disaster Management Centre spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili.
The worst-affected districts were Mullaitivu, Killinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya and Jaffna. No deaths or injuries were reported so far.
Military and the police were involved in rescue operations while President Maithripala Sirisena directed officials to provide immediate relief to the affected people.
The Meteorology Department warned of more rains in the north, east and north central provinces and said heavy falls were expected in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces.
Along with the help of some local residents, rescue team officials recovered body of the deceased near the river bed this morning.
Earlier, two persons were recovered from a nearby spot on October 12 and October 14.
It is pertinent to mention here that six persons had gone missing after their house was swept away in flood waters following heavy rain triggered by very severe Cyclone Titli .
All of them had taken shelter on the roof of the house when the tragedy occurred.
Briefing on Cyclone Yaas’ path of destruction, SRC Pradeep Jena said, “While the cyclone crossed the eastern coast this afternoon, it is heading towards the interior parts including Mayurbhanj. And the next 12 hours are most crucial for the district.”
“The district, especially the Similipal and Karanjia area has already received extremely heavy rainfall on Wednesday. So a flash flood in Budhabalang river cannot be ruled out,” Jena said.
Cyclone Yaas LIVE Updates: All you need to know
“In view of the very heavy rainfall and a possible flash flood, I have instructed the district Collector of Mayurbhanj to evacuate people from the low lying areas to nearby shelters,” he added.
Updating on the restoration works, Jena said that Nilagiri in Balasore saw a large number of trees uprooted in the severe wind that clocked at around 130 – 140 kmph. However, the electrical infrastructure has remained largely unaffected.
It is pertinent to mention here that, the IMD has already warned that Mayurbhanj would bear the brunt of Yaas as the cyclone will move towards Jharkhand through Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj in the evening of Wednesday.
As per the IMD’s prediction, wind speed in the district is likely to rise to a maximum of 120 kmph on Wednesday evening.