Odisha flood: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to make aerial survey of flood-affected areas today 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to make an aerial survey of flood-affected areas at 3.30 pm on Thursday. 

With the flood situation still grim in most districts of the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is going to conduct an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts. 

After the survey, the CM is expected to hold a review meeting with the officials. 

Meanwhile, Engineer-in-Chief of the Water Resources department, Bijay Kumar Mishra on Thursday informed that decision with respect to closing the gates of Hirakud dam will be taken by today evening. 

While briefing journalists, Mishra said, “The inflow into the HIrakud dam reservoir is 4,40,120 cusec and outflow from the reservoir is 6,74,868 cusec. Similarly, a total of 10,10,000 cusec water is flowing through Mundali barrage and is decreasing. The water released through 14 gates will reach Mundali by the evening, and then the flow of water will be somewhere near 10.10 cusec.”

“And a total of seven breaches have occurred in the Mahanadi system. They are being repaired on a temporary basis. And permanent steps for their repair to be taken only after rains,” Mishra said, adding, “decision regarding closing of gates of Hirakud dam will be taken today evening.”