Water level rises in Hati river, villagers asked to relocate

Though water levels of other rivers in the region are receding, the situation still remained grim on Sunday. Flash floods triggered by heavy rain for the past few days affected Kandhamal, Gajapati, Kalahandi and Bolangir districts.   

Also due to incessant rains at upper reaches for the past few days water levels of Mahanadi and its tributaries such as Kathjodi, Chitrotpala, Paika and Devi are rising, posing a threat to the tail end villages. The situation may worsen further, since it has been raining heavily in the upper hills of neighbouring Chhatisgarh, fear authorities.

On the other hand, as many as 19 sluice gates of Hirakud dam have been opened so far to release excessive water. While the reservoir was receiving 3.05 lakh cusecs of water per second, it was   discharging 3.12 lakh cusecs, dam authorities said.