Balasore: Rain from a low-pressure system has been pelting Balasore for the past few days, causing the Jalaka River to rise Wednesday morning. Because of the continuous showers in the upper catchment, water levels are expected to rise by 6 p.m.
This has given rise to flood like situation in Balasore district.
According to a senior official, the Jalaka River was flowing at Mathani under Basta block in the district slightly above 5.7 metre early in the morning as against the danger level earmarked at 5.5 metre. The river water has been constantly increasing, the senior official said.
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People residing in the riparian areas of Jalaka River are in panicky. If the present situation continues further for a day or two, the entire region will be severely affected by flood, some locals feared.
If at all a breach occurs in the Jalaka River embankment, as many as five panchayats under Basta block and two panchayats under Sadar block will be inundated in floodwater, the villagers expressed.
It is pertinent to mention, another low pressure area has been forming over the Bay of Bengal. The regional centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activities are likely in several parts of Odisha in the coming days.
PNN