No more fear of flood in Mahanadi, Baitarani river systems

There is no more fear of flood in the Mahanadi and Baitarani river systems in Odisha due to the fall in the water level of the rivers and the authorities of Hirakud Dam released the season's first flood water today, official sources said.

Special Relief Commissioner(SRC) B P Sethi said the flood fear has receded in the two river systems as the water level has substantially reduced at Mundali and Akhuapada gauge stations since yesterday.

"The volume of water discharged from Mundali gauge station has come down to 4,47,609 cusec per second at 9 am today from 7,30,877 cusec last night. This apart, there was no rainfall during the past 24 hours across the state," he told reporters.

The state has escaped a low to medium flood in the Mahanadi and Baitarani river systems, he said.

"The water level at Akhuapada barrage of Baitarani river has also been reduced. Keeping this in view, we dont foresee a flood in the state as of now," Sethi said.

The SRC said the flood water released from Hirakud Dam at around noon today would take at least 36 hours to reach Mundali and by then the water level at the barrage would have subsided further.

The authorities of Hirakud Dam opened eight sluice gates one after another after ceremonial puja. There are plans to open total 15 more gates during the day, the authorities said adding that around 3 lakh cusec of water will be released into the Mahandi river from it.

Hirakud Dam chief engineer Jyotirmaya Rath said the authorities opened the sluice gates as the water level of Hirakud reservoir increased to 618 feet at 10 am today against the storage capacity of 630 feet.

The dam authorities have asked villagers in its low lying areas to remain alert. The people have been advised not to venture into Mahandi river during the hours when the water from the dam was being released, said Rath.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited Sambal during the day and attended a high-level review meeting on the flood situation.

"The collectors of 10 districts have been instructed to remain alert and take all necessary steps for rescue and relief operations," Patnaik said and asked officials to complete repair and restoration works where water has receded within 24 hours.

At least 12 persons have so far died in the heavy rain and flood related incidents across the state.