Bhubaneswar, Oct 30: Flood fears eased in Odisha on Friday as water levels in several rivers began receding following heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone ‘Arnab’. The state government ruled out an immediate flood threat in Balasore district and expressed confidence that rivers in Ganjam would fall below the danger mark by Friday evening.

Water Resources Department Engineer-in-Chief Er. Dillip Kumar Rout said water levels in the Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha and Jalka rivers were being closely monitored. The Jalka River, which had crossed its danger level of 6.5 metres and reached 6.70 metres, receded to 6.42 metres by 1 pm.

He said the Bansadhara River was also witnessing a decline in water levels at Gunupur, Kashinagar and Gudari. The Rushikulya River was expected to recede by Friday evening and return to normal levels by Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, the department is monitoring rainfall and dam storage in neighbouring Chhattisgarh to assess inflows into Hirakud reservoir. Around 1.5 lakh cusecs of water is expected to enter the reservoir between October 31 and November 1.

The Hirakud water level stood at 627.4 feet on Friday against its full reservoir level of 630 feet. Officials said the situation was being closely monitored to ensure effective water management and prevent any flood-related complications.

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