Vikash Sharma

The entire administration in Odisha has been put on alert mode in view of the low to moderate level flood in the Mahanadi system. 
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena on Friday said that even though the water level in Baitarini and Jalaka rivers is receding, in Subarnarekha river it is on a rising streak.

It is expected that water in Subarnarekha river will be at its peak height of 11.5 meters near Rajghat by 10 pm to 12 midnight today. Though there are no threats of any major flood, but it is anticipated that the floodwater might enter some low-lying villages in Bhograi and Baliapal in Balasore districts.

“The district administration has been put on alert. ODRAF, NDRF teams have been deployed to deal with any emergency situation,” said Jena.

According to Jena, around 5.5 lakh cusecs of water was entering the Hirakud dam yesterday and it has now come down to 4.70 lakh cusecs with an outflow of 4.84 lakh cusecs today. The excess water was released through 28 gates of Hirakud dam.

“We are expecting a peak flow at Mundali by tomorrow. As per the projection, around 7.5 lakh cusecs of water will pass through Mundali. We hope to keep the flow below 8 lakh cusecs. As per our assessment, there will be no problem in the tributaries of Mahanadi,” Jena added.

Chief Engineer of State Water Resource Department Dhiren Samal said that the water level at Hirakud now stands at 628.79 ft and it is showing a falling trend as the excess water was released through 28 gates last night.

“By midnight today, we expect a peak flood of 7 to 7.5 lakh cusecs to pass through Mundali. There will be low to medium level flood,” said Samal.

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