BALASORE: The torrential rain for the last four days has played havoc across the coastal Balasore district, inundating vast areas and triggering flash floods in the northern parts on Saturday. While the rains have resulted in flash flood in the Jalaka river, two other major rivers - the Budhabalanga and the Subarnarekha - are in spate. Water in the Jalaka was flowing at 5.85 metre mark against its optimum level of 5.5 metre near Mathani. People of 15 villages under Basta and Sadar blocks have been affected and crops over large tracts of land have been submerged due to flood in the Jalaka river. Officials said the water level in Budhabalanga is at 5.54 metre mark while the Subarnarekha was flowing at 6.17 mark, below the warning level of 9.45. Sources said water level in the Jalaka was rising at the rate of 0.05 metre per hour and the river embankments have already been damaged near Laxmanpada, Pegarpada, Sankhudi, Ambachua and Kankadapal. The district has so far received 910 mm rainfall. While Khaira block received the highest 171 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, Bhogarai recorded 136 mm, Bahanaga has received the minimum of 28 mm.A team of administrative officials led by ADM Sribatsa Jena visited several vulnerable areas in Jaleswar and Basta blocks on Saturday morning. “We have inspected the river embankments and directed the irrigation officials to stay alert for any emergency. Though the situation is not alarming, we have kept six ODRAF boats and 50 country boats ready at various places,” said Jena. Dry food and kerosene have been stocked, he added. Meanwhile, Banamali Sial (55) died on Friday night while crossing a nullah in Maitapur village under Simulia police limits. Police said he drowned while trying to cross it in an inebriated condition.JEYPORE: Heavy rains have damaged paddy crop over several acres of land in Jeypore sub-division. The harvested paddy stocks in around 5,000 acres have been damaged due to incessant rains since Wednesday. Sources said farmers in Jeypore, Borrigumma and Kotpad areas had cut their crops a week back and were preparing to thresh the paddy when rains played spoilsport. Crops in many areas are under a sheet of water.Farmers said the damaged paddy stocks might be rejected by procurement agencies and demanded relaxation in the norms by the Civil Supplies Department and the FCI.
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