JAJPUR: Heavy rainfall in the upper catchment under the influence of Cyclone Arnab has pushed the Baitarani River above the danger mark in Odisha’s Jajpur district.A 60-foot breach has reopened at a previously repaired point along the Kani River, a tributary of the Baitarani, officials said on Thursday.The breach occurred around 4.00 to 5.00am at the location where a temporary station had earlier been set up, Dasarathpur block BDO Akash Pattnaik said.Two panchayats have been affected so far, with officials expecting the number of affected villages and panchayats to increase as floodwater spreads, news agency ANI reported.“Water levels are expected to rise further; the trend is currently upward, and rainfall has been heavy. However, we anticipate that the water level will start receding by tomorrow,” Pattnaik said.Authorities are arranging dry rations for affected residents and will set up community kitchens wherever required, the BDO said.Speaking to ANI, fire in-charge of Dasarathpur block Parshuram Jena said the area has been grappling with flooding for nearly one-and-a-half months, with water levels fluctuating during the period.“Out of the 35 panchayats here, 20 are currently affected by the floods. The water level is increasing. Evacuation and rescue operations are currently underway, with two teams working on the ground,” Jena said.The fresh flooding comes as Odisha remains on alert for heavy rain under the influence of a weather system over the Bay of Bengal.The system, which was being widely referred to as “Cyclone Arnab”, was forecast to intensify into a deep depression before moving towards the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast.The IMD had forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Odisha, with isolated extremely heavy rain also possible.The weather system had prompted authorities across Odisha to step up preparedness, with rescue teams kept on standby and cyclone and flood shelters readied in vulnerable areas.(With agency inputs)
