31 die as torrents play havoc in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, July 5 (UNI) With the death of six people in Rayagada and five in Bhadrak, altogether 31 people have died so far due to torrential rains in the last couple of days following a deep depression in Orissa.

According to State Relief Commission(SRC) office sources, nine deaths, including six in landslides, were reported in Gajapati district, followed by six in Rayagada, which included four in landslides, and five in Bhadrak district.

Three deaths were reported from Kalahandi district while Nayagarh and Koraput accounted for two deaths each. Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Bolangir and Ganjam reported one death each.

Sources said while almost all the major rivers in Western and South Orissa were receding, the Mahanadi system is showing a rising trend following heavy rains on the lower catchments areas during the past three days.

There is every possibility of a small or medium range floods in the Mahanadi river system as the water level at Naraj is fast approaching the danger level and there has been a flow of 8 lakh cusecs of water to the system.

SRC office sources said heavy rains on the lower catchment areas of Mahanadi river system and the flood water of Tel and Ib rivers would take a transit period of nearly 32 hours to reach the Naraj point.

Hence, a clear position would emerge by tomorrow about the possibility of a medium range flood in the Mahanadi system. The Naraj system, sources said, could accommodate 10 lakhs cusecs flow of water but with the flow of 8 lakh cusecs of water into the Mahanadi system, several low lying areas along the river were bound to be flooded.

The authority today alerted the coastal districts along the Mahanadi river system to be alert and keep a watch on all the tributaries of Mahanadi river. There is every possibility that the back waters of tributaries might submerge vast low lying areas in the coastal Orissa.

SRC office ruled out any major flood in the Mahanadi river system since there has been no rain for the past 12 hours on the lower catchments areas.

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