In view of heavy rains in the upper catchment area of Hirakud Dam, a medium-level flood situation is likely to emerge in the Mahanadi river system in coming two days, said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena on Friday.
“Due to inflow of water from the Hirakud Dam and other rivers, Mahanadi will receive 10 lakh to 10.5 lakh cusec water at Mundali in coming 36 hours. The Mahanadi had earlier received water up to 16 lakh cusec water at Mundali. Thus, a medium-level flood situation is likely to occur in the State,” Jena said.
He said the district Collectors of Cuttack, Jagatsingpur, Kendrapada, Puri, Nayagarh and Khordha have been advised to remain alert and take immediate measures to contain the flood situation.
By Friday evening, the Hirakud dam was releasing floodwater through 40 sluice gates. The reservoir was receiving 8 lakh cusec water due to heavy rains occurred in upper catchment area in Chhattisgarh and inflow of water from Ib and Veden rivers.
The water-level of the Hirakud Dam was 625 feet against its water-holding capacity of 630 feet, said reports.
In the lower catchment area of the dam, floodwaters from rivers like Tel, Suktel, Jira are also entering the Mahanadi.
Water Resources Engineer-in-Chief Jyotirmaya Rath said senior officials have been asked to keep a close watch on the flood situation in Devi, Kandal, Bhargavi and Daya rivers.
Detailing status of major rivers, he said the Baitarani was receding since Thursday. Four gates of the Rengali Dam were opened following heavy rains in the upper basin of Brahmani river. Around 10 Test Relief Embankments (TRE) in Bari and one in Duttapur in Jajpur district have breached, he added.
The Subarnarekha was flowing above danger level after release of floodwater from the Galudih barrage. Around 10 gram panchayats under Baliapal block and five GPs under Bhograi block in Baleswar district would be hit by flood, informed Rath.