Croc alert sounded in flooded areas of Orissa

KalingaTimes Correspondent
Kendrapara (Orissa), Sep 28: Apprehending possible straying of crocodiles into the flooded river water, the state forest department on Friday sounded caution asking people in three flood-hit blocks of this coastal district of not to venture into water bodies.

As Brahmani besides its tributary Kharasrota river are in spate, there is likelihood that estuarine crocs may stray into the flooded river from their habitat in Bhitarkanika river system, maintained Ajay Kumar Jena, Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar forest division.

The water bodies in Bhitarkanika where the salt-water crocs are safely ensconced owe its origin to these rivers. These rivers meander through Bhitarkanika innumerable water bodies before plunging into confluence on the Bay of Bengal.

From the experience of past years, there is distinct possibility that crocs would march towards the flooded river water along the Aul, Rajkanika and Rajnagar tehsil.

"We have asked the tehsildars and block development officers of the concerned region on the crocs' intrusion to ensure the safety of villagers of these areas," noted Jena.

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Africa flood crisis sweeps Nigeria and Burkina

22 hours ago

LAGOS (AFP) — Floods that have made hundreds of thousands of Africans homeless across vast swathes of the continent have claimed 64 lives in Nigeria and 33 in Burkina Faso, government and aid officials said Thursday.

Nigeria's Red Cross said the death toll covered a period since mid-July, while 22,000 people have been displaced in 10 sometimes arid northern states of the most populous nation in Africa as well as in the Lagos area, the huge economic capital in the southwest.

The minister of social action and national solidarity in landlocked Burkina Faso, one of west Africa's poorest nations, said 33 people had been killed over a similar period and almost 7,500 homes had been destroyed.

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Flood Insurance Program Extended

By JIM ABRAMS – 19 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted Thursday to strengthen the Katrina-swamped national flood insurance program, but provisions to extend the 40-year-old program to cover wind damage drew a White House veto threat.

The legislation, passed 263-146, extends through 2013 a program that provides affordable insurance, not always available on the private market, to homeowners in flood-prone areas while imposing land use and building requirements aimed at reducing future flood damage.

It is estimated that the program, which takes in about $2.7 billion in premiums annually, normally saves the Treasury $1 billion a year in flood-loss expenses.

But that all changed with the 2005 hurricane season when claims from Katrina and Rita exceeded the aggregate amount of all the claims previously paid in the history of the program.

The program's borrowing authority, limited by law to $1.5 billion before 2005, was raised three times by Congress, to the current $20.8 billion. The new legislation would increase that to $21.5 billion. The NFIP now owes the Treasury about $18 billion.

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Mittal to start work on Orissa plant in 2008
Satyasundar Barik

To go through the process of land acquisition

---

Report on rehabilitation to be

submitted to State Government

Orissa and Jharkhand projects

will be commissioned by 2011

---

BHUBANESWAR: Arcelor Mittal on Thursday said the construction for its proposed 12 million tonne steel plant in Orissa could begin in the first half of 2008.

“The detailed project report (DPR) would be completed by the middle of the next year. Physical acquisition of land can take place before that. We hope some kind of construction should start in the first half,” Arcelor Mittal India Chief Executive Officer Sank Mishra told reporters here on the sidelines of a conference.

The CEO said the company would submit its report on rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R), prepared by consultant EcoSmart, to the Orissa Government by the end of October.

Mr. Mishra, however, dismissed reports that the company had sought additional land in the Keonjhar district. The Orissa Government had promised to provide 7,000 acres in the district.

“We want the State Government should help us getting forest and environment clearance for steel and power projects as well as mines. Allocation of iron ore reserve is also required,” Mr. Mishra said. He said the progress of both steel projects in Jharkhand and Orissa was satisfactory.

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India floods Information Bulletin No.4

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in 185 countries.

In Brief

This Bulletin is being issued for information only, and reflects the situation and the information available at this time. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time.

The Situation

Following heavy monsoon rains that led to floods in different parts of India during the months of June-July 2007, the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat and Orissa were once again hit by very heavy rainfall over the weekend of 22-23 September 2007 (sources: United Nations Development Programme and All India Radio).

Orissa: One of the hardest hit areas was Orissa where, under the influence of the depression formed over the Bay of Bengal on 21st September, most of the coastal districts experienced heavy rain for three days. On 23rd September, the depression lay over Angur district in the interior of Orissa.

As on 23rd September, five people (three in Cuttack and two in Bhubaneshwar) were reported to have been killed in the state. Large areas in six blocks of Balasore district were waterlogged. Flash floods were reported in the Budhabalanga river. In Bhadrak district, the Baitarani river crossed the danger level on 23rd September, and a breach on the embankment of the river was closed down immediately. However, the river levels have now started receding. The district administration is keeping a close vigil on the situation and has initiated relief distribution in affected areas.

According to a report prepared on the basis of inter-agency coordination, some key details of the flood situation in Orissa are as follows:

- Continuous heavy rainfall due to low pressure in the southern and coastal parts of the state has resulted in a rise of water levels in all the major river systems, except the Mahanadi system. The heavy rain in the Chhattisgarh region may have an impact on the Mahanadi river system.

- Balasore district has been affected by floods for the third time this monsoon season. Approximately 500,000 people and 415 villages were affected. The road connection has been cut off between Baliapal and Basta. Eleven fishermen were rescued from Balaramgadi.

- Approximately 200,000 people having been severely affected in Mayurbhanj district.

- River Baitarani is expected to touch the danger level in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts. Large parts of Jajpur district have been affected due to floods in the Brahmani river.

- In southern Orissa, the water levels in the two major river systems, i.e. the Bansdhara and Rishikulya, are rising, with Bansdhara being expected to touch the danger level.

- In Cuttack district, 270 mm rainfall was recorded and seven breaches have occurred in the Sapua river. About 50 feet of road has been washed away between Cuttack and Narasinghpur.

- Tidal waves affected 611 families in Kendrapara district and washed away 50 metres of sea shore in Paradeep port.

- In Jagatsinghpur district, 1,000 thatched houses were damaged due to heavy rain and areas covered under 19 village administrative units were affected.

- In Nayagarh district, heavy rain over four days cut off 21 villages from the district headquarters.

- The Special Relief Commissioner for Orissa has deployed the Orissa Disaster Relief Action Force for search and rescue in Mayurbhanj district.

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39 killed, 4.5 million affected in latest Orissa floods

Posted : Fri, 28 Sep 2007 07:33:01 GMT
Bhubaneswar, Sep 28 - More than four million people have been affected and 39 killed in the torrential rain and flash floods in Orissa in the last fortnight, the state government said Friday.Though the floodwaters have started receding in the rivers passing through the state, the situation in the worst-hit northern districts including Balasore and Bhadrak has yet to improve.A fresh spell of rain Friday caused by a depression over the Bay of Bengal off the Vishakhapatnam coast in Andhra Pradesh led to panic among the flood victims in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts.Relief and rescue operations have been hampered due to flooding of roads in several parts of the state. A shortage of boats has added to the problem.An estimated 4.5 million people were affected by the current floods, the fourth this year, that caused havoc in 12 of the state's 30 districts including six coastal districts. The total loss from the floods has been pegged at Rs.11 billion, the state government said in a memorandum.

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Rains hamper flood relief in Orissa
Friday September 28 2007 00:07 IST

PTI

BHUBANESWAR: Relief and rescue operations were affected in six flood-hit districts of Orissa as heavy rains lashed many areas on Thursday, compounding the plight of over 28 lakh people.

Fresh rains lashed parts of Kendrapara, Cuttack, and Khurda districts this morning making it difficult for relief officials and volunteers to reach far-flung areas, official sources said.

Relief material failed to reach many areas in Balasore, Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts due to inadequate deployment of boats and heavy rains, the sources said.

In a bid to prevent possible outbreak of water-borne diseases, the district administration has launched a vigorous drive to distribute halogen tablets and disinfect water sources in Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Cuttack and Khurda districts, the sources said.

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CM seeks Rs 750 crore Central help for flood relief

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Sept. 27: Chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik today met the Union home minister Mr Shivraj Patil at New Delhi and presented a memorandum for flood assistance of Rs 750 crore.
The memorandum outlined the damages caused by the recent spell of floods.
Preliminary estimates have shown that the damages caused by the recent floods are in the range of Rs 1,085 crore.
More than 64,000 houses have been damaged and 4 lakh hectares inundated in various parts of the state this season.
This is the second such memorandum, which has been presented by the state government to the central government. The first memorandum of Rs 306 crore was submitted in July.
The chief minister impressed upon the home minister to immediately release the funds to the state government based on the earlier memorandum.
He also requested deputation of a central team for assessment of the damage.
The minister assured that the central team will visit Orissa soon.
Mr Patnaik also discussed regarding two important Bills, which are awaiting the assent of the President of India. The Bills passed by the Orissa Legislative Assembly are the Special Courts Bill and The Orissa Urban Police Bill. The Special Courts Bill empowers the state government to set up special courts to try corruption cases and to confiscate properties acquired by officials and public servants disproportionate to their known source of income.

UF toxicology lab to assess effects of pollutants on sharks

Filed under Research, Health, Environment, Veterinary on Thursday, September 27, 2007.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Sending commonly prescribed medications down the drain may be taking a bite out of the environment — at least when it comes to shark habitat, University of Florida veterinary scientists say. In fact, the combination of flushing unused medications and the natural excretion of drug residue from antidepressants, cholesterol-regulating drugs and contraceptives into wastewater systems could be having repercussions on aquatic animal life in general.

Researchers at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s Analytical Toxicology Core Laboratory, in collaboration with Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, are studying the bull shark’s exposure to pharmaceutical drug residue found in the waters of the Caloosahatchee River near Fort Myers. Bull sharks leave the ocean to spend time in brackish rivers and estuaries, and the river serves as a nursery for their young.

“Because bull sharks have the unique ability to survive in both saltwater and freshwater environments, they are in close, frequent contact with people — and, as a result, are frequently exposed to wastewater pollutants found in freshwater basins,” said Jim Gelsleichter, senior scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory.

Scientists are trying to determine whether exposure to prescription residue contaminants from water treatment plants and other sources affects the sharks’ ability to grow and reproduce.

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Sydney Conference to Address Challenges of Mighty Mekong River Basin
By Phil Mercer Sydney 27 September 2007

Combating poverty and developing the economies of Southeast Asia's Mekong River region are the focus of an international conference taking place in Australia. As the conference opened, the Australian government announced a major increase in its spending on energy and infrastructure in the region. Phil Mercer reports from Sydney, where the conference is being held.

Boy carries plastic bag of water he collected from Mekong river, near Phnom Penh, Cambodia (File)

The Mekong is the 11th longest river in the world. The name means "Mother of Rivers" in the language of Laos, one of the countries the river passes through. It provides livelihoods for 60 million people, many of them among the poorest in the region.

The conference at Sydney University is looking at ways to improve economic opportunity and water management along with environmental protection along the river's banks.

Floods hit Orissa hard, 23 dead

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Sept. 26: The upper air circulation over the coastal areas of the state and the forecast of more rains in the next 24 hours compounded the miseries of 26 lakh flood affected people across seven districts.
Floods have already claimed 23 lives and rendered thousands homeless. Agricultural lands remained submerged even though the rivers continued to recede for the second day today.
Official sources said relief and rescue operations are in full swing and over Rs 1.45 crore has already been released from the calamity relief fund.
People have been marooned in Balasore, where the Budhabalanga and Subernarekha rivers have become flooded. Several parts of the district have been cut off.
While complaints of relief not reaching the affected districts, the officials claimed that they had already despatched huge quantities of rice and other food stuff. There was no respite from the rains as a low pressure over the Bay of Bengal caused showers.

Repair orders
Works and Housing minister Mr AU Singh Deo today directed the departmental officers and engineers to repair the roads that have been damaged in the recent rains. Estimates show that a total of Rs 108 crore is required for the restoration work.
A review of the damages caused by floods revealed that about 204 roads under the works department in 10 districts have been affected in the rains. There have been breaches on the roads at 53 places, out of which 23 have been repaired. The repair work on the other breaches are on .
Mr Singh Deo took stock of the whole situation and the reviewed the requirement of funds for undertaking repair and restoration work.

Ready for the next big flood?

It’s not a matter of if –it’s a matter of when

KARREN RHODES
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 9/26/2007

Anyone who has lived in the greater Dayton area for a few years probably knows that the sometimes empty --sometimes overflowing Carson River that runs from one end of central Lyon County to the other will wreak havoc on occasion.

That awareness is all too familiar to residents Linda Clements and her husband John Crowley. The couple knows first-hand how the Carson River can take everything you own and strew it for miles downstream. They were victims of the 1997 100-year flood of the Carson River.

When you talk to the couple they have total recollection as if the tragedy hit yesterday. They lived in a rental home down in the Harbor Road area --a neighborhood tucked along the Carson River and nestled among cottonwood trees off of U.S. 50. "At first it looked like we would be spared --then it (the river) took just about everything," said Linda Clements, adding that the family is still trying to recover from their loss a decade later.

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AUSTRALIA: New funding announced for Mekong River Basin - 27/09/2007

The Australian Government has announced new funding for the Mekong River Basin, home to many of Asia's poorest people. An extra $US140 million is to go to new roads, rural electricity and water management programs.


SNOWDON: The Mekong region is a priority area for Australia's aid program.

The Government has announced a new five year strategy with funding of 140 million US dollars over four years to help promote economic development and cooperation.

The Mekong River - one of the world's largest, provides the livelihoods for 60 million people as it passes through six countries.

Four of those - Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Lao - are members of the donor funded Mekong River Commission. Five million dollars of the aid package will go to the commission.

The Commission aims to foster cooperation and sustainable, pro-poor and environmentally responsible

State, local water users will gather Monday to discuss future water use in the Cape Fear River basin (9/26/2007)

RALEIGH – State water resource experts will meet on Monday with water users of the Cape Fear River Basin to discuss the future water usage plans in the basin, which includes the Haw and Deep river basins.

Officials with the N.C. Division of Water Resources report that a number of cities and industries have announced plans for increased future withdrawals of water from the Cape Fear River. The evaluation of these proposed increased water uses will need to consider the sustainable capacity of the Cape Fear River and the cumulative effect on the river of the proposed increased uses. Monday’s meeting, set for 1 p.m. at the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, will include brief updates by sponsors of new water use proposals, including the amount, location and timing of the planned withdrawals.

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Flood-like situation in S Bengal districts

Statesman News Service
BURDWAN/krishnagar, Sept. 26: Burdwan Sabhadhipati today alleged the apathy shown by concerned authorities in Jharkhand has resulted in a flood-like situation in the three districts of Burdwan, Bankura and Hooghly. “I shall seek state government’s stern intervention to put an end to this recurring problem,” Mr Uday Sarkar, the Sabhadhipati said.
Mr Sarkar, along with the district magistrate of Burdwan, Mr Manish Jain and top irrigation officials had to rush to the Maithon dam yesterday evening after they received information that 3.20 lakh cusecs of water would be discharged by the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs in Bengal-Jharkhand border. The combined discharge would have marooned the villages across the Damodar shoreline in the South Bengal districts if, as Mr Sarkar said, they hadn't rushed to Maithon in time. Though the torrential rain has controlled its pace in Bengal stretches, it maintained an increased intensity in Damodar catchments falling under Jharkhand. Despite of a convincing discharge by the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs, the Damodar riverbank in two locations ~ Natu near Burdwan and at Jalanpur-Banjora in Bankura were washed away rendering hundreds of villagers homeless last night.
“The situation of the dams were not that critical that it needed a discharge of such a high magnitude. Authorities in Jharkhand compelled the DVC to declare an increase in discharge rate,” Mr Sarkar alleged. On Wednesday, according to Mr Abani Roy, executive engineer, Damodar Headworks: "The discharge at Durgapur barrage maintained 2.49 lakh cusecs throughout the day. If the rainfall in the catchment areas doesn’t increase further, there is no question to intensify the rate.” A flood-like situation looms large in six blocks in Nadia district as water level of river Bhagirathi in Swarupganj is likely to cross the 9.5 meter mark by Thursday morning. The blocks, which are in danger of being flooded include, Nabadwip, Santipur, Ranaghat-I, Krishnagar-I, Nakashipara and Kaliganj. According to senior district officials, the water level of Bhagirathi had already crossed the extreme danger level (EDL) mark (9.05 meter) at Swarupganj at approximately 3 a.m. today and it was flowing at the level of 9.33 meter mark this afternoon. As Bhagirathi is flowing above EDL mark at several places along its course in the district, low-lying areas of six gram panchayats: Mahisura, Fakirdanga-Golapara, Char Majdiya, Char Brahmhanagar, Bablari and Swarupganj in Nabadwip block have already been partially flooded.

Flood warning for Bangkok

Bangkok Deputy Governor Bannasophit Mekwichai has ordered local authorities to warn residents along the Chao Phraya River and connecting canals to move at-risk belongings to higher ground due to the rising water level from the combined high tide and northern run-off on Wednesday evening.

Government labourers have built sandbag embankments along the river as the water level in the river will remain high for the next few days.

But the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry is confident its water management will effectively prevent flooding near Suvarnabhumi airport and in the central provinces, so that the extensive floods in those areas last year won't recur during this year's rainy season.

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Bush vows veto of U.S. House flood insurance bill

Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:05pm ET

WASHINGTON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The Bush administration on Wednesday threatened to veto a post-Katrina bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would expand the federal government's flood insurance program to cover wind damage.

The bill sponsored by California Democrat Maxine Waters was expected to reach the House floor on Thursday.

Among other steps, it would add wind damage to perils covered under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), set up in 1968.

The White House said in a statement it opposes adding wind coverage to the national flood program.

"Shifting liabilities for windstorm damage from the private sector to the NFIP would be fiscally irresponsible. Federal government insurance would displace insurance that is already provided by the private market," it said.

In addition, the White House said including wind damage would mean all taxpayers would have to subsidize insurance rates for people in high-risk areas.

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Situation grim in Jajpur dist
Wednesday September 26 2007 14:00 IST

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

JAJPUR: Even as the water level in Baitarani began receding on Tuesday afternoon, flood situation in Bari, Jajpur, Korei and Dasarathpur blocks in Jajpur district continues to be grim for the third consecutive day.

Although the river Baitarini was flowing at 18.60 metres against the red mark of 17.83 metres on Tuesday evening, it showed a downward trend since afternoon.

The rivers Brahmani and Kharasrota were still flowing above the danger mark. Official sources said over 2.5 lakh people in 196 villages under 58 GPs have been affected.

EPIDEMIC: Over 100 persons of the flood-affected villages have been reportedly affected by diarrhoea.

Non-stop shower cripples life
Sunday September 23 2007 04:26 IST

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

BHUBANESWAR: As the depression over the Bay of Bengal crossed Orissa coast near Puri on Saturday evening, an unrelenting spell of rain completely threw normal life out of gear in coastal and southern districts, claiming at least five lives.

While continuous rains threatened another round of floods, what caused havoc was severe waterlogging, bringing life to a complete stop. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack were the worst hit and all five deaths, caused by wall collapse, were reported from these two areas.

Relentless rains left almost all the rivers in spate. By evening, Mahanadi was rising at Khairamal and Naraj while Devi was swelling too. Baitarani and Brahmani too rose at some stations.

In northern Orissa, Budhabalanga was rising at all its gauge points, while Subarnarekha too was in spate. Bansandhara and Rushikulya in southern parts of the State continued to rise with rains showing little signs of abating during the next 48 hours.

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Flood situation grim
Wednesday September 26 2007 13:24 IST

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

BHUBANESWAR: The recent flash floods triggered by incessant rains following a depression have so far claimed 10 lives and affected over four lakh people spread over three North Orissa districts.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and reviewed the situation. Naveen directed the collectors of the affected districts to provide safe drinking water and ensure health services to the people.

Official sources said the loss of life is less due to the repeated prior warning and timely evacuation of around 40,000 people to safer places. The flood situation in Balasore district worsened on Tuesday with three major rivers flowing above the danger mark and inundating more areas.

Balasore Sadar, Remuna, Bahanaga, Soro, Simulia and Nilgiri blocks of Balasore district and G B Nagar, Udala, Kaptipada, Betanati, Shyamakhunta, Kuliana and Badasahi blocks of Mayurbhanj and Dhamnagar, Tihidi and Chandbali blocks of Bhadrak are the worst affected. While three each died in Bhubaneswar and Nialia area of Cuttack, two died in Udala subdivision in Mayurbhanj district due to wall collapse.

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Over 16 lakhs hit by Orissa floods

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 26 (PTI): Relief and rehabilitation measures were Tuesday stepped up in six flood-ravaged districts of Orissa where swollen rivers continued to flow above the danger mark affecting more than 16 lakh people.

Though rain's fury subsided in many places, vast areas in Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapara, Cuttack and Jajpur districts were submerged in flood waters, paralysing normal life and leaving many marooned, official sources said.

Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, who undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas, asked authorities to intensify relief work and provide medical assistance, besides carrying out rescue operations.

The flood situation remained grim in Balasore district where the Subarnarekha river was flowing around one-metre above the danger mark and water level was steadily rising, sources said, adding water level in the Budhabalanga also remained above the danger level.

Relief measures were in full swing in the district where 13 boats were pressed into service for distribution of essential items in inaccessible areas as an estimated 6.5 lakh people were affected in 12 blocks of Balasore.

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Rain claims ten lives in West Bengal

Tuesday, 25 September , 2007, 22:49

Kolkata: The death toll from three days of incessant rainfall in southern West Bengal touched 10 with a youth dying of electrocution in Kolkata Tuesday afternoon, even as the districts reeled under a flood-like situation despite a let-up in the downpour. The police said a youth died at Ultadanga in north Kolkata after he came in contact with a live electric wire, which had got detached from its post and fell into a waterlogged area. Full Story

Rain havoc continues in Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal
By NI Wire	Views:30
New Delhi	Comments:0

Sep 26: Heavy rains in the last 48 hours have completely paralysed the life in eastern Indian states Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal. Most coastal regions of Orissa and West Bengal have completely submerged with water making it really worse for the normal life of people.

In Orissa the six coastal districts Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jajpur and Bhadrak are most affected with torrential rains that forced lakhs of people leave their residence as river continues to cross the danger mark.

The state administration have so far arranged all possible relief and rescue operation but it’s difficult for those lakhs of villagers to take shelter in maroon land. As Subarnarekha, Brahmani and Baitarani rivers are running above the danger mark the villages comes under its limits including the district Balasore.

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USGS: Salinity levels improving in southwestern streams

According to the USGS salinity levels in many southwestern U.S. streams has dropped over the last couple of decades. From the article:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a report today describing salinity levels in streams and ground water in parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The report concludes that although salinity varies widely throughout the region, levels have generally decreased in many streams during the past two decades. Elevated salinity levels, or concentrations of dissolved solids, can limit the suitability of water for many uses, including agricultural production and drinking water. Trends in dissolved-solids concentrations in streams were evaluated from 1974 through 2003. "The greatest change occurred during 1989 to 2003, when annual dissolved-solids concentrations decreased at more than half of the sites throughout the region," explained lead author and USGS hydrologist Dave Anning. "The reductions were widespread, as indicated by decreases at nearly all of the sites on the main stem of the Colorado and Green Rivers. We also noted increases at about one-third of the sites, while the remaining sites showed no trends."

Decreases in salinity are attributed, in part, to natural causes, such as geomorphic changes or climate variations. They also may be associated with human-related factors, such as changes in land and water use, reservoir management, trans-basin exports, and implementation of salinity-control projects. Salinity control projects include activities like using low water-use irrigation systems and re-directing saline water away from streams. USGS findings show that dissolved solids decreased from 1989 through 2003 at all sites downstream from salinity-control projects, and that the decreases were greater than decreases upstream from projects. For example, estimated annual loads of dissolved solids in the Gunnison River in the Upper Colorado River Basin decreased by about 162,000 tons per year downstream from the Lower Gunnison salinity-control unit, in contrast to a decrease of only 2,880 tons per year upstream from the unit. This net decrease is about 15 percent of the annual load in the lower Gunnison River. "This is good news," said Dr. Robert Hirsch, Associate Director for Water, "and shows successes from the region's investments in salinity control over the past several decades." Salinity-control projects have been implemented since the mid-1970s by the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Land Management to control salinity of water delivered to Mexico, per the 1974 Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act...

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River down to lowest level ever

09/25/07 By Andrea Freygang

Rome officials said although Monday’s 13-inch water level at the Oostanaula River pumphouse is the lowest ever recorded, it isn’t causing the city any problems yet.

City Manager John Bennett said the city can still meet the average demand of about 10 million gallons per day, but because of the low water there’s no way the allowable maximum of 18 million gallons per day can be withdrawn.

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Delaware River plan to remain unchanged

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

By BRUCE A. SCRUTON

bscruton@njherald.com

WEST TRENTON — Faced with an end-of-the-month deadline, the Delaware River Basin Commission will likely vote to continue with a water management plan which everybody seems to agree isn't working, but which the parties apparently can't agree on how to change.

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Stabbing the mountains

In May 2003, the Centre launched the 50,000 MW hydroelectric initiative as a step forward to tap the near 78 per cent unutilised hydropower potentials in the country. In all 162 new hydroelectric projects across 16 Indian states were proposed and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation was identified as the nodal agency for execution.
The North-east topped the list with 76 hydroelectric projects proposed across Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, which on completion would alone generate 31,885 MW power.
The ten projects proposed in Sikkim, as estimated, would yield 1,469 MW energy. All these projects were envisaged in the river Teesta and its tributaries. The Teesta, with a 7,755 square km catchment area, traverses a 414 km distance cutting across Sikkim, parts of Darjeeling hills and the plains of Jalpaiguri before submerging into the mighty Brahmaputra in Bangladesh.
Four years down the line, now in 2007, of the ten proposed hydroelectric projects, the Teesta stage-V is near completion, Teesta stage-IV is under survey and investigation, while another five projects in north Sikkim have been stalled due to agitation by the ethnic Lepcha community.
Two other hydroelectric projects in the Teesta basin, located in Darjeeling district bordering Sikkim - the Teesta Low Dam Project-III & IV - are under construction. Both the TLDP III & IV are coming up alongside National Highway 31A that connects Sikkim with the rest of the country, via Siliguri.
As is the case with big hydropower projects elsewhere in the country, conservationists had vehemently opposed the river taming projects in the Teesta. They demanded scrapping of the TLDP III & IV at the very conceptual stage, arguing that the hydropower projects would result in large-scale damage to the natural environment and would put an adverse impact on the lives of surrounding habitants.
However, giving a damn to the environmental concerns and twisting the rules and norms, the NHPC ultimately managed to get the go-ahead signal from the Union ministry of environment and forests.
As was apprehended by conservationists, construction of the two hydropower projects, coupled with other factors, have now started taking their toll on the overall natural environment, both in Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills.

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Uganda: Govt to Cost Flood Impact

East African Business Week (Kampala)

24 September 2007
Posted to the web 25 September 2007

David Mugabe
Kampala

Despite the devastating effects of the recent torrential floods in parts of Uganda, the Ugandan government has made no official estimates of the economic costs.

Uganda's state minister for disaster preparedness, Mr. Musa Ecweru told East African Business Week last Thursday that it was still difficult to estimate the economic cost of the damage.

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National Flood Insurance Program up for Vote

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is up for a vote again, and this insurance provides important affordable coverage for people in many areas of the Seattle / Puget Sound region. Most home owner insurance policies do not cover flood damage, and many home owners are not even aware that they have no coverage in this area. The NFIP covers obvious areas such as rivers overflowing their banks into property, yet many people also don't know that it includes high tidal/wave action on the Sound, land movement due to heavy rains, mudslides, and related catastrophes that could potentially destroy a home and yet not be covered by the home's regular insurance. With our area's huge expanses of Sound and lake coastline, and our steep terrain with homes perched on fragile hillsides to maximize views, this can be important insurance for many home owners in many different locations.

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Africa: FAO Pledges Support to Flood-Affected Countries

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Rome)

25 September 2007
Posted to the web 25 September 2007

Rome

FAO Director-General Dr Jacques Diouf pledged today that FAO will bring all its resources and experience to support flood-affected countries in Africa in rehabilitating their damaged agricultural sector.

"FAO is making every effort to immediately assess the damage the floods have caused to farmers and their livelihoods and is mobilizing resources to assist them in resuming their farming activities," Dr Diouf said.

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Situation grim, rivers in spate
Tuesday September 25 2007 02:22 IST

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

JAJPUR: The situation continued to be grim in Jajpur district on Monday as the rivers Baitarani, Brahmani and Kharasrota were flowing above the danger mark affecting over 1.5 lakh people in Jajpur, Bari, Korei, Rasulpur and Dasarathpur blocks.

As many as 83 villages under 35 gram panchayats in the four blocks of the district are still marooned for the last two days. A woman was reportedly swept away in Chandanpur of Bari block on Monday. With this, the toll in the present floods has gone up to two.

Meanwhile, Bari block headquarters has been cut off from the panchayat headquarters since Sunday as the flood water is flowing at a height of at least four-five feet on most of the roads. Traffic movement has been disrupted on the Jajpur-Bauruan, Singhpur- Rajkanika, Bari-Kuakhia, Jajpur- Panasa, Bari-Ratnagiri and Golkund- Indipur roads since Sunday.

While hundreds of thatched houses have collapsed, paddy crop in more than 40,000 hectares of land in the five blocks has been damaged.

According to sources in the district flood control room, the Brahmani river is flowing at 68 feet against the red mark of 67 feet at Jenapur. Similarly, Baitarani is flowing at 19.29 metres against the danger level of 17.83 metres at Akhuapada. Kharasrota is also flowing at 19.60 metre against its danger mark of 18.20 metres at Binjharpur. The water level in Baitarani is expected to rise.

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Heavy rain batters Anandapur

Statesman News Service
KEONJHAR Sept. 25: Incessant rains due to low-pressure has caused damage in the Anandapur sub-division badly, as the Baitarani, the Kusei, the Remal and all the tributaries have been flooded. For the fourth time in this rainy season, the water in the Baitarani river has crossed the danger level of 38.36 metres.
While 30 villages under the Hatadihi block have become submerged, 30,000 people of the Anandapur sub-division, Patna block, Ghasipura block, Joda and Barbil have been affected. Crops have also been badly damaged in the four-day long downpour.
Arjun Sahoo of Jalasuan in Ramchandrapur police station was washed away in the Kusei River, while Giri Gope of Nalda was drowned into a rivulet when he was crossing the culvert over it on the Balani-Barbil road.
Continue downpour has also rendered hundreds of people of Anandapur, Ghasipura, Patna, Joda and Barbil homeless. However, the Anandapur sub-collector and the BDOs are monitoring the situation.

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Flood situation grim

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Sept. 25: The flood situation continued to be grim in Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts with lakhs of people being affected and vast stretch of agricultural land inundated. Road communication has been disrupted at various places.
The major rivers like Baitarani, Budhabalanga and Jalaka showed a receding trend today, while the Subarnarekha flowed above the danger level.
The chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik today instructed the collectors of the flood-affected areas to provide relief materials, health service and undertake a massive operation to disinfect drinking water sources.
He made an aerial survey of the flood affected areas of Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore.
Heavy downpour due to depression over the Bay of Bengal over the last four days had caused flood and inundated vast areas in these districts.
The Baitarani has affected 3 lakh people in Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari, Tihidi and the Chandabali blocks. People of Bhadrak town too has experienced floods as the Salandi river crossed over the danger mark, following the discharge of water from the Hadgarh reservoir.
As many as 451 villages of 93 gram panchayats have become marooned since the past two days.. Communication to Akhandalamani Dham has been cut off, as the flood water is flowing at the height of there-four feet near Kothar Bazar.
The Bhadrak-Chandabali road was also under flood water at Nalugunada and Nanndapur. The revenue minister Mr Manmohan Samal reviewed the situation today.
He declared three days relief for the affected people and setting up of 11 free kitchens at Dhamnagar Block.
Water discharged from the Hadgarh reservoir submerged the low lying areas of Bhadrak town. According to the irrigation officials, the water level at the reservoir crossed maximum limit. The water at the reservoir had crossed its highest retention level of 82.50 mt and had to be released. Presently the reservoir is discharging 9,000 cusec of water.
People residing in the low lying areas of the Bhadrak town were asked to shift to safer places. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the low lying areas of the town, said Mr Sasadhar Nayak, municipality executive officer. These people were accommodated at the Women’s college and the Dhanatola school where free kitchen centres have been opened.
Although rivers like Jalaka and Kansabansha are receding, the flood situation continued to be grim in the district .
The Subarnarekha, the cause of worries for north Balasore was above the danger mark. However, sources at the district emergency office claimed that the river has been constant since 4 pm till 8 pm
Official sources said that nearly 7 lakh people of 129 GPs and 933 villages of Sadar, Remuna, Soro, Simulia, Bhanga, Nilgiri and Khair blocks have been affected.
Unconfirmed reports said that four people have died in the recent floods.
While there have been allegations of non-receipt of relief from various blocks, a protest was staged by the irate villagers in the demand of relief materials on NH-60.
Nearly 1.15 lakhs hectares of cultivated areas have been submerged due to water logging .
The official sources said that 16 country boats and six power boats have been pressed in for providing service and relief materials have been sent to the various affected villages .
In Jajpur, the worst affected areas are Bari, Jajpur, Korei and Dasarathapur blocks.
While the Baitarani river is receding, the Brahmani and the Kharasrota rivers are still flowing above their respective danger levels, said the official sources.
According to them nearly 1.5 lakh people in 83 villages under 36 gram panchayats have been marooned .

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WEATHER / PREPARING FOR THE WORST

Storm, flood disaster plan approved by cabinet

POST REPORTERS

A five-year master plan to cope with floods, storms and mudslides was endorsed by the cabinet yesterday amid widespread floods in the provinces.

The plan will be implemented next year deputy government spokesman Natthawat Sutthiyothin said. It provides a framework and directions for providing effective emergency aid to victims and strengthening the ability of communities to cope with natural disasters.

These include preventative measures, irrigation management and emergency measures.

The weather office warned that some provinces in the North would feel the effects of tropical depression Francisco which was last night centred in the Gulf of Tonkin and moving westwards into Vietnam. Although it was weakening as it hit land, rainstorms and strong winds were predicted for the Northeast and northern provinces such as Phetchabun, Nan, Phayao, and Chiang Rai.

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UNICEF Humanitarian Action Update South Asia floods 25 Sep 2007

UNICEF IS RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND WOMEN IN THE AREAS OF HEALTH AND NUTRITION, WATER AND SANITATION, EDUCATION AND CHILD PROTECTION

- Heavy floods and landslides in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan have affected millions of children and their families.

- Thousands of villages have been marooned, leaving millions of people displaced.

- While flood waters have begun to recede, the threat from hunger, disease and malnutrition continues for the affected populations.

- UNICEF’s biggest priority is to prevent serious disease outbreaks and to protect the health and nutritional status of women and children. UNICEF also focuses on getting children back to school.

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Flood situation critical in Orissa districts	RSS

KalingaTimes Correspondent Bhubaneswar/Balasore, Sep 25: With Subarnarekha and Baitarani rivers continuing to flow above the danger mark, flood situation remained critical in hundreds of villages across Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts of Orissa on Tuesday. As lakhs of people continued to suffer in the marooned villages, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made an aerial survey of the flood-ravaged areas during the day.

Patnaik has instructed the District Collectors of the affected districts to step up relief and rescue operations. The Chief Minister also asked the authorities concerned to disinfect the drinking water sources in the flood affected regions and activate the healthcare system to provide timely medical help to the people. By Tuesday evening, Budhabalanga, Jalaka and Kansabansha rivers in Balasore district had started receding slowly. But Subarnarekha, the main cause of worry for north Balasore, was above the danger mark at Jamsolaghat and Rajghat.

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16-lakh people hit by Orissa floods

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 25 (PTI): Relief and rehabilitation measures were today stepped up in six flood-ravaged districts of Orissa where swollen rivers continued to flow above the danger mark affecting more than 16-lakh people. Though the rain's fury subsided in many places, vast areas in Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapara, Cuttack and Jajpur districts were submerged in flood waters, paralysing normal life and leaving many people marooned, official sources said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas, asked authorities to intensify relief work and provide medical assistance, besides carrying out rescue operations.

The flood situation remained grim in Balasore district where the Subarnarekha river was flowing around one metre above the danger mark and water level was steadily rising, sources said adding water level in the Budhabalanga also remained above the danger level.

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Hopeful Signs for River Basin
By NATE JENKINS 09.24.07, 4:06 PM ETKEARNEY, Neb. -

Nebraska may still wind up in court for using more Republican River water than allowed, but the state is building a case that it shouldn't be punished with millions of dollars in damages or be forced to shut down irrigation wells.

Gov. Dave Heineman told water officials from across the state Monday there is a very good chance the Republican basin will be below its water use cap next year, under a three-state compact that includes Kansas and Colorado.

Data shows Nebraska will be under the cap this year - but with a caveat. A key portion of the basin near Kansas may be over its allocation under a measure of use during water-short years, which this year is.

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Orissa flood situation worsens	RSS

KalingaTimes Correspondent Bhubaneswar/Balasore, Sep 24: The flood situation in Orissa turned grim on Monday with over 13 lakh people affected in as many as six districts. Balasore district was badly hit by the latest round of floods with rivers such as Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, Jalaka and Kansabansha flowing over the danger level at several locations. District authorities in Balasore said that the floods had affected the people in 159 villages spread over six blocks of the district.

This is the fifth round of flood to hit Balasore district this year. The blocks that had been badly hit by the floods were Basta, Remuna, Simulia, Soro and Bahanaga. The other districts that had been hit by the current floods include Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapara. Heavy rains under the influence of a depression over the Bay of Bengal during the past week had caused floods in several rivers in the State. While affecting road communication, floods also affected movement of trains on Monday. Several trains were cancelled or delayed due to the floods. The flood situation in the State was likely to remain grim as heavy to very heavy rainfall likely to occur at few places over upper Brahmani and upper Mahanadi catchments during next 24 hours, according to the flood bulletin of the Water Resources Department.

CM orders early repair of roads

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Sept. 24: The chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik today instructed for an early repairing of roads in the flood-affected areas and to keep a vigil on the situation, as another depression is apprenhed to form over the Bay of Bengal.
Mr Patnaik was reviewing the flood situation in the state in a high level meeting here today.
It has been found in the meeting that after the heavy downpour in the last few days due to the depression formed over the Bay of Bengal, many parts of the Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts have been inundated by floods in the Subarnarekha, Baitarani and the Budhabalanga rivers.
The districts collectors have been instructed to provide relief materials for three days.
The special relief commissioner informed that as the water is receding, normalcy will be back within a day or two.
It was also informed that the flood condition in the Mahanadi river has already been brought under control.

Six districts face flood fury Staff Reporter

Kendrapara turns out to be worst hit

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Road communication hit, crops on vast areas damaged

Jamankira in Deogarh has highest rainfall of 19.2 cm

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BHUBANESWAR: After four days of heavy rains triggered by a depression, six districts of Orissa on Monday faced the flood fury with several villages in Balasore, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj district marooned by floodwaters.

Lakhs hit

Kendrapara district turned out to be the worst hit district with rainwater flowing downstream as several lakh people in different villages were affected by the flood.

According to Special Relief Commissioner, the villagers affected by current flood were close to nine lakhs.

It happened apparently due to the heavy rains in catchments of Brahmani and Baitarani rivers that passed through the district.

Hundreds acres of agricultural land were inundated by the floodwater.

People have fled to safer places.

Seaside regions such as Rajanagar, Patamundai and several villagers around district headquarter town Kendrapara had come under the grip of flood on Monday.

Similarly three lakh people in six blocks of Balasore district were affected by the floods that disrupted road communication and damaged crops in vast areas.

Floodwater also wrought havoc in Mayurbhanj district as its seven blocks were affected by the fresh round of flood.

Though intensity of rainfall had come down substantially during last 24 hours, water was still flowing at four river gauge sites such as Anandpur and Akhuapada on Baitarani river, Jamsholaghat on Subarnrekah and NH-5 Govindpur on Burhabalang river, the daily flood bulletin said.

Level rising

On Monday, water level was rising at as many as 13 river gauge sites.

Flood Control Room said Jamankira in Deogarh district had received highest rainfall of 19.2 cm and it was followed by Jamadarpalli in the same district with 16.8 cm. Rainfall was measured to be in the region of 7 cm to 15 cm.

Relief work

Mahanadi, Brahmani, Subarnarekha and Baitarani river systems have been receiving heavy rainwater for last four days.

Special Relief Commission control room said relief and rescue operation have been started in Balasore, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj district.

Officials were facing difficulty with road communications in several places damaged due to heavy rains.

Full-court press

EDITORIAL
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

THE LOWER Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District originally had planned to file suit against the Bureau of Reclamation by the end of last week, but that filing has been delayed.

And, we hope, for good reason.

The district wants to block a contract between Reclamation and Aurora which would give that Denver suburb a 40-year contract to store and exchange water in Lake Pueblo.

That reservoir was built as part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project to bring unused water from the Western Slope into the Arkansas Valley. The project never was envisioned - as the language of the Fry-Ark authorization bill so clearly shows - to be used to export water out of this valley’s over-appropriated river.

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Duke tightens water limits

Lake Wateree residents must stop using irrigation pumps as water shortage continutes

By MARJORIE RIDDLE - mriddle@thestate.com

Kershaw and Fairfield county residents who live along Lake Wateree must stop using their lake irrigation pumps Tuesday — or risk losing them — as part of new drought restrictions.

Duke Energy is putting restrictions in place on all 11 Catawba River basin lakes until the area’s lake levels return to normal, said spokeswoman Marilyn Lineberger.

While Lake Wateree in Kershaw County was only 0.6 feet lower than normal as of late last week, lakes upstream that feed it had more severe shortages, forcing restrictions area-wide, the utility says.

Residents who don’t comply face a first offense warning. Pumps could be cut off from the lake for a second offense.

Duke is considering stiffer penalties after that, including loss of dock access for up to five years, among other ideas, Lineberger said.

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Orissa reels under floods

From our ANI Correspondent

Baripada (Orissa), Sep 24: Orrisa continues to reel under floods with heavy rains lashing the region.

lmost all major rivers like Budhabalanga and its tributaries Kalo, Sunei,angahar, East and West Deo are in spate following incessant rains during the last 24 hours.

River Budhabalanga had overflowed its banks early on Sunday morning with the floodwaters surging into the low-lying areas of Baripada town.

The authorities have sprung into action to help those marooned.

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Orissa hit by fresh floods, 13 lakh people affected

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 24 (PTI): Fresh floods hit at least six districts in northern Orissa today affecting over 13 lakh people as major rivers in the region were rising alarmingly following heavy rains caused by depression.

Around three lakh people in six blocks of Balasore district were affected by the floods which disrupted road communication and damaged crops in vast areas, official sources said.

Over nine lakh people were hit by floods in Kendrapara district and nearby areas as swollen Brahmani and Baitarani rivers ravaged around 6000 hectares of agriculture land and damaged hundreds of houses, the sources said.

Ali, Rajnagar and Pattamundai areas of the district were the worst hit.

Though intensity of rains had weakened considerably, many areas were waterlogged and road links remained snapped disrupting vehicular movement.

While the swollen Budhabalanga river was flowing above the danger mark at Govindpur in Balasore district, water level of Suvarnarekha was likely to cross the danger level very soon, the sources said.

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Bangladesh: Disaster Management Information Centre situation report 23 Sep 2007 18:00

Special Weather Bulletin; Report on Cyclone Speculated Districts; Flood, Rainfall and River Situation; Summary of Water Levels; Flood Forecast (24 & 48 Hrs); Weather Forecast and District Wise Flood Status

Current Situation: Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal no. three (r) three. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice. Overall flood situation of the country continued in improving trend and will continue. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges–Padma continued falling and will fall further. Flood situation in the South-central part of the country is likely to improve further and will continue. All small rivers surrounding Dhaka district are receding and the trend will continue. The prevailing flood situation in the districts of Sylhet & Sunamganj is improving slowly and is likely to improve further.

SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN (on September 23, 2007 at 0830 BST)

THE ORISSA COAST CROSSING MONSOON DEEP DEPRESSION CROSSED ORISSA COAST OF INDIA NEAR PARADWIP BY EARLY MORNING TODAY (23 SEPTEMBER 2007) AND NOW LIES OVER ORISSA AND ADJOINING AREA AS A LAND DEPRESSION. IT IS LIKELY MOVE IN A NORTH-NORTHWESTERLY DIRECTION FURTHER INLAND AND WEAKEN GRADUALLY BY GIVING PRECIPITATION. UNDER ITS INFLUENCE STEEP PRESSURE GRADIENT PERSISTS OVER NORTH BAY. SQUALLY WEATHER MAY AFFECT THE MARITIME PORTS.

MARITIME PORTS OF CHITTAGONG, COX'S BAZAR AND MONGLA HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO LOWER LOCAL WARNING SIGNAL NUMBER FOUR (R) FOUR BUT INSTEAD HOIST LOCAL CAUTIONARY SIGNAL NUMBER THREE (R) THREE.

ALL FISHING BOATS AND TRAWLERS OVER NORTH BAY HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO REMAIN IN SHELTER TILL FURTHER NOTICE.

[NO FURTHER SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN WILL BE ISSUED IN THIS SERIES]

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Centre promises adequate assistance to State for flood relief work
Special Correspondent

Shivraj Patil and Radhika Selvi review damage caused by rain and floods

BANGALORE: The Union Government on Sunday assured the State Government of providing adequate financial assistance to take up relief and rehabilitation work in 14 flood-affected districts of the State.

Union Minister Home Shivraj Patil reviewed the damaged caused by rain and floods in north Karnataka and said, “The Union Government will definitely look into the demands of the State and try to provide enough financial assistance to undertake relief work. Money is not a problem, equipment is not a problem. Please don’t worry. Money will come to you (State).”

Loss

The State Government has estimated the loss at Rs. 1,000 crore. Forty-one people and 368 heads of cattle died and 72,028 houses were damaged in the recent rain and floods. Standing crops in 2.42 lakh hectares of land were destroyed. Many roads, bridges and buildings were damaged and 213 villages were inundated in the State.

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Another flood looming large
Monday September 24 2007 07:34 IST

Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Lakhs were affected in five districts of the State after the depressioninduced rains lashed coastal and interior parts of Orissa with a vengeance.

Two persons were killed after being swept away by storm water near a culvert at Ranipatharguda in Kandhamal district. The rain-related death toll reached seven.

As rains pounded the catchment areas, major rivers were in spate. Northern districts - Mayurbhanj and Balasore - faced the fury even as a dozen blocks bore the brunt of the rains and consequent floods.

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC)�s Office said over 37 gram panchayats in six blocks of Mayurbhanj were in grip of the deluge. Baripada Municipality too was not spared. While the district administration had to evacuate 3,200 people, five villages had been marooned.

Four powerboats were pressed into rescue and relief work. Free kitchens were opened at four points.

In Balasore, a population of 2.80 lakh in 89 GPs was affected by the floods in Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga rivers. Budhabalanga crossed its red mark at NH 5 in Govindpur and was flowing at 8.46 metres, flood control room said.

Unconfirmed reports said over 9 lakh people were affected by the floods and torrential rain in Kendrapara.

People of Jajpur were gearing up to face the worst as Baitarani was rising menacingly. The river crossed its danger mark of 17.83 metres at Akhuapada, flowing at 18.04 metres.

With both the rivers still rising, more areas could come into their grip over the next couple of days as showers are likely to continue.

The Met office said the depression had moved north-westwards and lay centred near Angul on Sunday. It is likely to move in a northwesterly direction.

Under its influence, widespread rainfall with very heavy falls are likely in interior Orissa during the next 24 hours. Catchments of Subernarekha, Baitarani, lower Brahmani, lower Mahanadi and Bansadhara, upper Brahmani and upper Mahanadi would continue to get rains during the next 48 hours.

In the last 24 hours, Athgarh received 27 cm rain followed by Nilagiri 24 cm, Ghatagaon 22 cm, NH-5 Govindpur and Soro 17 cm, Boudh and Tikabali 15 cm each.

Heavy rain raises fears of another round of floods
Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the toll in the latest spell of rains went up to seven, water level was fast rising in different river systems of the State, raising fears of another round of floods in two or three districts on Sunday.

Two more deaths were reported from the Phulbani area. At Puri, violent waves washed away a portion of a newly constructed road to Puri-Konark Marine Drive. Vehicular movement on that road has been regulated.

Water level was rising steadily at 19 out of 28 river gauge sites, the daily flood bulletin issued by the Water Resource Department said. Moreover, water flow overtopped danger mark at four places. Water level was measured to be at 39.55 metres against the danger mark 38.36 metres at Anandpur on the Baitarani river. Similarly, at its nearest river gauge site, Akhupada, water was flowing at a height of 18.25 metres against the danger level of 17.83 metres.

Similarly, water also flowing above danger level at NH-5 Govindpur on the Burhabalanga river and at Kashinagar on the Vanshadhara. Several parts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj district were inundated, district control rooms said.

According to the State Revenue Control Room, Athagarh received highest rainfall during the last 24 hours. The rainfall was measured to be at 27 cm there. Similarly, Nilagiri of Balasore district, received 23 cm and it was closely followed by Ghatagaon where the precipitation was 22 cm. Most places in coastal as well as northern regions, rainfall was measured close to 10 cm affecting normal life.

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Snakes compound South Asia flood victims’ miseries

* Hundreds of snakes enter village homes killing many

BHUBANESWAR: Hundreds of snakes, forced out of their pits by flood waters, have entered villagers’ homes in eastern India creating panic and adding to the torment caused by monsoon flooding, officials said on Friday.

Around 1,850 people have been killed - scores of them due to snake bites - since July when swollen rivers burst their banks, inundating huge areas in eastern India and Bangladesh. The others have been killed by drowning, diarrhoea and in house collapses. In India’s impoverished state of Orissa, poisonous snakes like kraits and cobras slithered into homes across dozens of villages in Balasore district after nearby forest areas were inundated, forcing villagers to flee with their cattle.

“We might survive the floods but there are numerous snakes crawling all over the place,” said Bijoy Pradhan, a villager who fled his home to dry land, on Friday. Two children died from snake bites overnight in the area as close to a million people remained marooned across the state. Authorities in Orissa said they were also battling an outbreak of diarrhoea that has killed six children since Thursday.

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Heavy rains trigger floods in Orissa

KalingaTimes Correspondent
Bhubaneswar, Sep 23: Heavy rains across Orissa during the past few days have triggered floods in several rivers affecting normal life in several districts of the State. Balasore district has been badly affected by the floods.

The rains had also caused flash floods in many areas resulting in the death of as many as seven persons by Sunday.

The rivers that were in spate by Sunday afternoon are Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha, Vansadhara and Rushikulya.

Heavy rainfall occurred at most places over the catchments of these rivers during since Saturday under the influence of the depression over northwest Bay.

The depression that had crossed the State's coast near Puri on Saturday evening lay centred near Angul during the day on Sunday. The system is likely to move in a northwesterly direction and weaken gradually.

However, heavy to very heavy rainfall was likely to occur at a few places over Subarnarekha, Baitarani, Lower Brahmani, Lower Mahanadi, Vansadhara and at isolated places over Upper Brahmani and Upper Mahanadi catchments during next 48 hours.

According to the flood bulletin issued by the Water Resources Department, Budhabalanga was already flowing above the danger level at Govindpur, while Baitarani was flowing above the danger mark at Akhuapada.

Meanwhile, normal life continued to remain paralysed in most parts of the State with heavy rains at frequent intervals. People living in the low lying areas of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack continued to have a difficult time.