Flood fury: Water gushes into Maa Bhattarika temple

Badamba: The flood water of Mahanadi River entered the sanctum sanctorum of Maa Bhattarika temple in Narasinghpur of Cuttack district in the wee hours today.

Sources said the water flooded the temple premises at around 3 am. However, the flooding did not affect the conduct of rituals of the deity as the temple committee shifted the idol to a safer place soon after the incident.

At present, more than three feet water is flowing inside the temple, stated Bipin Purbara, supervisor of Debottara department, Badamba.

Following incessant rain for past four days, a flood-like situation has occurred in Mahanadi river, sources said.

Official sources informed that the water level in Mahanadi river is expected to rise further as Hirakud dam authorities said that the first flood water will be released between 10 am to 11 am tomorrow. At present 2,05,352 cusecs of water is entering the dam per second now. While the dam has a capacity of 630 feet, water level reached 615.43 ft by 9 am today, said sources.

Villagers in low lying areas of the Hirakud dam have also been alerted about flood-like situation.