Flood fear looms large in Odisha

Apprehending a "low to medium" flood in Mahanadi and Bitarani river systems due to depression induced very heavy rainfall across the state, Odisha government today asked district collectors in delta region to remain prepared for all emergency situations.

"We should remain in a state of full preparedness to tackle any emergency situation and provide immediate relief to the affected people," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said after taking stock of the situation here today.

Stating that the state has received heavy rainfall during last three days necessitating evacuation of some people and provision of temporary shelter, Patnaik said the district authorities must start damage estimation where situation has improved.

Six persons were killed in the rain related incidents in the state between July 20 and July 23, officials said. The deaths were reported from Rayagada(2), Sambalpur(2), Subarnapur (1) and Malkangiri (1) districts.

Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi has put the district collectors of Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda and Puri in Mahanadi delta area on high alert as the administration expects flow of about 8 lakh cusec of water through Mundali gauge station near Cuttack by this evening.

Similarly, the collectors of Keonjhar, Jajpur and Bhadrak districts have been put on alert as the water level in river Baitarani is on rise.

Though there has been no major breach in any river embankment, at least three lakh people have been affected in the calamity, officials said.

At noon today, 7,30,877 cusecs water is flowing through the Mundali and it is expected to further increase in the evening. This has sparked fear of flood in six districts in the delta region, officials said.

Meanwhile, authorities of Hirakud reservoir have announced the season's first flood water release tomorrow which may add to the flood situation in river Mahanadi system.

However, Water Resources secretary P K Jena said "Release of water from Hirakud Dam will not add to the flood situation in Mahanadi. This is because the water from Hirakud will take 36 hours to reach at Mundali. By the time the Hirakud water reach Cutatck, the existing water may be released to the sea during 36 hours."