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Even as large swathes of low lying areas in several districts across the State continue to remain submerged following heavy downpour and surge in waters level in major rivers like Mahanadi, the Odisha government on Saturday however claimed that there was no major threat of imminent flooding from any river systems in the State.
Chief Engineer, Water Resources Dhiren Samal informed that the water level in the basins of Mahanadi, Baitarani, Brahmani and other rivers is either stable or on a receding trend. “So, there is little likelihood of escalation of flood situation in these systems,” he assured.
Due to gradual recession in water inflow in the upper catchment areas of Hirakud, the dam authorities have gone into a closure mode. From discharging floodwater through 28 sluice gates at the peak point, the outflow from the reservoir is carried out through 18 gates at the moment so that the dam will once again be readied for filling up as per the inflow and outflow trend, Samal told reporters today.
The floodwater through Mundali was around 6.67 lakh cusec at the peak time last night. The trend will continue for some time and gradually the water level will recede.
In Brahmani river, rainfall has deceased in the upper catchment region. Two gates of Rengali dam was opened to release excess water in the river but as the level has started exhibiting a falling trend, the gates will remain open for some more time before a decision to reduce the outflow is taken, he added.
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Water level at Jenapur is stable while it is below the danger level near Aul even though the excess floodwater will continue to empty into the Bay for two more days.
Similarly, situation has also normalised in Baitarani river. In the cases of Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Bhadrak districts, water level in Subarnarekha has been ebbing at major measuring points like Rajghat and Jamsola, he said.
On widespread inundation in several districts, the Chief Engineer clarified that it is more on account of the accumulation of rain waters following two days of heavy downpour. The stagnant water level has ceased to recede due to the swelling rivers and their distributaries.
Samal however said that the surplus late monsoon precipitation will help revamp the drought-hit cultivation works in the State.
Prior to the deep depression activity, most of the mid-sized reservoirs had considerably low content. But the surplus rainfall has helped in filling up the storage this season, he added.
Highlighting some figures in this connection, Samal said that out of 44 medium reservoirs, water content is below 50% in only 13 dams while it is more than 75% in 20 reservoirs. Likewise, the water level is between 50 to 75% of the full reservoir level in 11 dams and two are up to the FRL level.
