Threat of flood in Odisha recedes

Threat of flood in major rivers of Odisha faded today following respite from incessant rains though rivers like Baitarani were flowing above danger level at some places.
While water level remained more or less stable in most rivers following decline in the intensity of rainfall after the low pressure built in the region moved into Jharkhand and Bihar, river Baitarani and its tributary Kani were in spate in some areas of Jajpur district.
District Emergency Office sources in Jajpur said Baitarani river was flowing above danger mark at Akhuapada and Dasarathapur.
"The flood water in Baitarani river is flowing at 17.85 mt at Akhuapada against its red mark of 17.83 mt. The river is also flowing at 10.63 mt at Dasarathapur this evening against the danger mark of 10.50 mt," district emergency officer of Jajpur Indrani Behera said.

The district administration sounded an alert in some parts of Dasarathapur, Korei and Jajpur blocks in the wake of rising water level in the Baitarani and its tributaries following rise in water level.
Meanwhile, two persons could not be traced after they went missing when the overcrowded country boat ferrying them capsized in Baitarani river in Jajpur district last evening. Though rescue operation was on, they have not been traced, officials said.

In Mayurbhanj district, flood water of river Budhabalang submerged paddy fields under Bangiriposi block while 15 villages under Badasahi block were inundated by flood water of Gangahada river, sources said.

Two days ago, the state government had asked the district collectors of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhardak and Keonjhar to remain alert to eventualities.
Meanwhile, the authorities of the Hirakud dam over Mahanadi river system today opened four more sluice gates. Eight gates had been opened on Friday, sources said.
"It is obligatory to discharge water from the reservoir to improve its retention capacity," said an official adding heavy flow of water from catchment areas prompted the dam authorities to release water.