Bhubaneswar/Kendrapada: The state govt on Wednesday warned of a fresh medium-level flood in the Subarnarekha due to heavy rainfall in its upper catchment areas raising concerns of renewed inundation in Balasore district. Revenue minister Suresh Pujari said Balasore was likely to bear the brunt of the fresh surge, prompting authorities to remain on high alert even as relief and rescue operations continued in existing flood-hit areas.The minister said the situation had improved in at least 235 affected villages. No human casualty has been reported so far, barring isolated incidents of livestock loss. He said around 4.26 lakh people were evacuated to safer places during the floods that affected six districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Kendrapara.Chief engineer of the water resources department Dilip Kumar Rout said the Subarnarekha was expected to peak around midnight and could affect four blocks in Balasore district, namely Jaleswar, Baliapal, Bhograi and Basta. According to official data, the Subarnarekha was flowing more than 0.5 metre above the danger level at Rajghat by Wednesday afternoon and continued to rise.In contrast, the Brahmani, Baitarani and Budhabalanga rivers were on a falling trend at various gauge stations, though water levels remained above the danger marks at several locations. The Jalaka river in Balasore district remained steady but continued to flow above the danger level.Fresh threat from the Subarnarekha comes at a time when more than 2.18 lakh people across seven blocks in Balasore district are already reeling from the impact of the current floods, officials said. Officials estimated it could take another 3 to 4 days for the situation in Balasore to stabilise. NDRF, ODRAF, fire services and medical teams have been deployed at strategic locations to tackle any fresh crisis, while boats remain on standby for evacuation. Vulnerable embankments are also being closely monitored.Meanwhile, Hirakud reservoir increased discharge into the Mahanadi system, with 17 sluice gates opened by Wednesday afternoon. The reservoir level stood at 620.35 ft against its full reservoir level of 630 ft. Inflow and outflow were recorded at 3.79 lakh cusecs and 2.8 lakh cusecs respectively. The IMD has forecast a lull in rainfall activity across the state till Thursday, with isolated heavy showers likely thereafter.
