Bhadrak: Owing to incessant rains triggered by a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, the Baitarani is flowing above the danger level near Akhuapada in Bhadrak district Friday. The spate in the river has brought fear and apprehension in the minds of the villagers living close to the banks of the Baitarani.
As against the danger mark of 17.83 metres near Akhuapada, the river was reportedly seen flowing at 17.84 metres at 7.00am Friday morning. The water level at 11am was 17.87 metres. Thursday the water level was at 17.56 metres.
The Baitarani flows through Keonjhar district before entering Bhadrak district. So rainfall in the neighbouring district also affects the Bhadrak district residents. There has been very heavy downpour in both the districts in the last two days. This has resulted in the river being in spate and hundreds of acres of agricultural lands in Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar and Tihidi areas are already submerged under floodwater.
As Keonjhar district has been issued ‘red warning’ for heavy to heavy rainfall by the weathermen, the farmers in Bhadrak district are already worried over the prospect of severe crop loss. They are fearing that floods will put them under severe financial stress once more.
PNN