Flood situation still grim

JAIPUR: Flood situation in Dasarathapur block in the district continues to remain grim for the second day on Sunday. Though water level in the Baitarini river has come down, flood water is yet to recede from the affected areas in the block. As many as 43 villages of 11 gram panchayats of the block have been marooned for the second time due to flood in the  Baitarini. Six free kitchens have been opened at flood-hit areas in Dasarathapur block.District Collector Anil Kumar Samal said earlier the flood water from Dasarathapur block could not be discharged because of flooding in other low-lying areas. “As there is no flood in the low-lying areas now, the situation is expected to normalise soon,” he said. District Emergency officials said water level of the Baitarani stood at 17.73 metres at Akhuapada by 5 pm on Sunday against the danger mark of 17.83. However, in Dasarathapur the river is still flowing above the danger mark. It stood at 15.5 feet by 2 pm on Sunday against its danger mark of 12.5 feet.