Bhubaneswar: Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi has asked the district Collectors in Mahanadi system to remain alert and take precautionary measures in view of the excess floodwater being released from the Hirakud Dam. However, he has also stated the situation at present as ‘normal’.
On the possibilities of a flood situation in different districts coming under the Mahanadi river system, Sethi said, “About 6 lakh cusec of water is currently flowing in the Mahanadi at Mundali. This I hope will not create danger situations for the people. However, it is estimated 8.5 lakh cusec flood water will pass through Mundali anytime after 9 PM tonight.”
“Keeping this in view, we have asked the district administrations to remain alert and draw up an emergency plan to meet any eventuality,” he said.
Sethi further informed that NRDF and ODRAF personnel have been deployed in Puri, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Cuttack districts to meet any vulnerable situations.
These apart, the field level officials have been directed to visit the multipurpose flood shelters while the district Collectors asked to ensure that evacuated people from the low-lying areas, if any, are properly sheltered and also facilitated with cooked food, safe drinking water as well as proper health facility.
“At present the situation is normal. We are alert and keeping a round the clock observation,” Sethi added.
On the other hand, water level of Mahanadi River has reached 105.43 metres against danger mark of 109 metres at Khairamal in Boudh while Jagannath Sadak in Dhalapur has been inundated, official sources said.