"About 10 lakh cusec water is likely to be discharged at Mundali near Cuttack tomorrow which will create a flood situation in the Mahanadi river system. Kindly alert field functionaries and draw emergency plan to meet any situation," a state government directive to Collectors of 11 districts located by the side of the river, said.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister S N Patro, however, told PTI that 14 lakh cusec water had flown to Mundali in the past. The districts located in Mahanadi delta area were required to remain extra alert for the situation.
Asking the district authorities of Sambalpur, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Nayagarh, Angul, Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Khurda to be on guard, the revenue and disaster management department issued instructions to keep country boats/mechanised boats, dry food, kerosene, flash light, sattelite phones, candles, matchboxes and other essentials ready.
"The collectors are asked to deport mobile teams for close watch on vulnerable and weak river/canal embankments," said an official, adding directives have also been issued to make suitable arrangement to restrict plying of vehicles on the roads overflowing with flood water.
Though flood water affected normal life in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapara districts, the state government apprehend more trouble due to heavy rainfall at the catchment area of the Mahanadi.