TV
Water discharge from Hirakud Dam has significantly raised water levels in the lower Mahanadi basin, with over 4.47 lakh cusecs of floodwater currently flowing through Mundali in Cuttack, as of this morning.
According to official data, the water level upstream of Mundali stood at 87.50 feet, while downstream levels reached 84.30 feet, marking a sharp rise following the dam’s release.
Authorities confirmed that the flow is being managed through 16 sluice gates of the Hirakud Dam as part of routine monsoon flood control, though the number of operational gates was later expanded to 20 in response to continuous upstream inflow.
No Flood Threat Yet, But Caution Urged
Despite the surge in volume, Water Resources Department officials maintained that there is no immediate flood threat in the downstream areas of the Mahanadi delta.
Sources also confirmed that real-time monitoring of both upstream and downstream water levels is ongoing at the flood monitoring centre in Cuttack’s Naraj, and the department is keeping a close eye on rainfall activity in the upper catchments.
Meanwhile, the Hirakud Dam’s current inflow rate has surpassed its outflow, with 3,42,453 cusecs flowing in versus 3,35,649 cusecs being released, slightly increasing the reservoir’s storage. This trend has heightened preparedness levels across districts like Sambalpur, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Kendrapara.
Officials noted that the discharge began Sunday morning, with gate number 7 opened first. The steady rise in inflow, attributed to rainfall in Chhattisgarh and Odisha’s upper catchments, led to subsequent gates being opened to regulate pressure and minimise downstream risk.
IMD Predicts Continued Rainfall, Districts on Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further rainfall over the next 48 to 72 hours due to a low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining regions.
This system, under the influence of an active upper air cyclonic circulation, is expected to move northwestwards, intensifying precipitation across northern and western Odisha.
With floodwaters already moving through the delta and further rain forecasted, the next 48 hours will be critical for Odisha’s flood management apparatus.
