People affected as Brahmani breaches banks

JAIPUR: The flood situation in Jajpur district remains grim with the Baitarani and the Brahmani breaching their banks at 10 places and inundating 247 villages spread over six blocks.Around 2.63 lakh people have been affected and 71 panchayats of Dasarathapur, Bari, Jajpur, Dharmasala, Korei and Barachana marooned. Four of the breaches occurred in Dasarathapur block, followed by another four in Bari and one each in Barchana and Dharmasala blocks, sources said. Similarly, flood water gushing from the Baitarani, Brahmani, Kelua and the Birupa has marooned thousands of hectares of paddy land of six blocks in the district. The connecting roads for several villages under Bari and Dasarathapur blocks were submerged. The inhabitants have been cut off from the mainland, sources said.  “As many as 10 breaches have occurred in four blocks on the banks of the river Baitarani, Brahmani, Kelua and Birupa. We are waiting for the report from the BDOs concerned who are in the areas,” said Emergency Officer Bijaylaxmi Jena. Though all major rivers in spate have now begun to recede, according to official sources, the flood situation in the district remains grim. The situation in Dasarathapur and Bari blocks is serious as hundreds of people were without food for the third day on Thursday, despite the government officials claiming that relief had been provided to the marooned persons. No relief has practically reached the flood-hit people. Jajpur Collector Anil Samal on Thursday visited the flood-affected areas.