Low to medium flood expected in Mahanadi river system: Odisha engineer-in-chief

“With pick flood water expected to flow at Mundali by Thursday evening, there is a possibility of low to medium flood in Mahanadi river system in Odisha,” said Engineer-in-chief (Water Resource Department) Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty on Thursday.

“Around 9 to 9.5 lakh cusecs of water will flow through Mundali by this evening. It will be the pick hour and crucial time for us. The water will reach Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Puri tomorrow morning. As a result, low to medium flood is expected in Mahanadi river system in the State,” said Mohanty.

“Medium flood is also expected in Mahanadi basin. Pick flood will cross Mundali by this evening. The flood water has not breached any embankment so far. Concerned authorities in Puri, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Khordha have been alerted to be prepared to meet any kind of situation arising out of the flood. Senior officers have also been sent to the fields. This night is very crucial for us. Some low-lying areas in Nayagarh and Cuttack have been affected by the flood so far,” he added.

Notably, torrential rain induced by low pressure for the last couple of days has crippled life in various parts of Odisha causing landslides and waterlogging in several places.

The water level is also rising in Mahanadi River due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area. Around 7,25,000 cusecs of water are currently flowing per second at Mundali. Around eight lakh cusecs of water are expected to flow at Mundali at 12 pm today.