North Orissa rivers in spate, flood in Jalaka

BHUBANESWAR/BALASORE: Several rivers in northern Orissa were in spate on Saturday following incessant rains as two persons were swept away by Baitarani river in Keonjhar district.A man and his son went missing while crossing Baitarani near Satahalia village. A search operation was launched to trace them.Several areas of Balasore district were affected by flash flood in Jalaka river as its water level crossed the danger level. At least eight gram panchayats in Basta block were affected by flash flood.Water level in Jalaka river touched 6.25 metre at Mathani in Basta block this evening while its danger level is 5.50 metre. Water level is increasing at 0.1 metre per hour in Jalaka river.On Basta-Baliapal road at Kudia, water was overflowing causing traffic snarl. Similarly, the road linking National Highway-60 and Basta railway station was submerged.  The water level in Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga rivers rose gradually.The highest rainfall of 171 mm was recorded in Khaira block since Friday.