Flood Threat: Alert issued as Hirakud opens 25 gates to release floodwater

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government directed Collectors of several districts to remain 'alert' keeping in view a possible flood in Mahanadi basin as Hirakud dam opened five additional gates today.

Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi informed that excess flood water from Hirakud dam is being released through 25 gates. As a result, nearly 8 to 8.5 lakh cusecs of water is expected to reach Mundali by Thursday.

Earlier, flood water was being released through 20 gates while five more gates of Hirakud were opened this evening.

It is pertinent to mention that the water level of Hirakud is on the rise following the incessant rain in the upper catchment areas in Chhattisgarh.

"We have asked the district collectors of Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack to remain alert even though there is no major flood threat in Odisha," said Sethi.

Sethi further informed that the Sambalpur district administration has been asked to take necessary measures for the evacuation of people from low-lying areas keeping in view the release of excess flood water through Hirakud dam.

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Official sources informed that flood-like situation has been reported in Tihidi and Bhadrak Municipality and already ODRAF and NDRF units are in place which will be pressed into service as soon as required.

Hirakud Chief Engineer, Jyotirmayi Rath stated that the flood like situation in Mahanadi system is mainly due to incessant rain in Chhattisgarh and subsequent release of excess water through Ravishankar reservoir and two other medium projects by the neighbouring State.