Fresh Fear of Another Deluge

BALASORE/BARIPADA: The  people of Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts, battered by the floods, are spending sleepless nights fearing yet another deluge.    With the torrential rains lashing northern region of the State, they fear that major floods in Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha and Baitarani rivers might just devour whatever little has been left behind.Though Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha were flowing below danger level, the  Baitarani and the Jalaka were well above their red mark. Jalaka was flowing at 5.75 metre near Mathani while the water level in Baitarani was 18.58 metre against the danger level of 17.83 metre.About 70 villages in Simulia, Nilagiri, Khaira and Basta blocks in Balasore, 45 in Bhandaripokhari and Dhamnagar blocks of Bhadrak and over 50 villages in Badasahi, Betnoti and Gopabandhunagar blocks in Mayurbhanj district have been affected.The torrential rains have spilled cold water over their hopes of rebuilding damaged houses. The residents of Premnagar and Ajabnagar -- two thickly populated colonies in Madhuban, Kalimandirsahi and Lalbazar under Baripada municipality have been waterlogged.Manitri Zilla Parishad member Daibayanti Masanta said three major roads - Badasahi-Udala, Badasahi-Ramuna via Baisinga and Gopabandhu Nagar-Udala have been cut off. While flood water is flowing over a bridge near Nakhara and Patalipur in Badasahi block, Raruan-Jashipur road has been cut off disrupting communication to different parts of Mayurbhanj district.Similarly, several road links in Balasore district have  been cut off. A bridge on the Kupari-Gadapokhari road has collapsed while connecting roads - Ada-Kahira, Bhagia-Chandrapada, Jagulaipur-Chandrapada, Markona-Bari-Ada have been submerged.Sources said nearly 500 people from Iswarpur and Muruna panchayats have been evacuated and given shelter in nearby schools. They have been provided cooked food. Balasore Collector AB Ota said the officials have been alerted as the district may face another major flood on Friday. Meanwhile power boats have been deployed and food stocked at vulnerable points. Sarpanchs have been asked to provide the affected cooked food if the situation warrants, he added.