Increasing water levels at key rivers caused by copious rains in their catchment areas have alerted the state government, which is yet to finish the embankment strengthening works in the areas that were inundated in back-to-back flood in September last year.
Though water levels at Mahanadi, Bramhani, Subaranarekha and Upper Kolab rivers are below the danger level, their gradual rise amid a low pressure climate indicate a worsening situation in case of further downpour, government officials warned.
“There has been moderate flashfloods detected in Mahanadi river system. The situation is under control as of now but it could be disastrous if it rains further,” said Prabhat Kumar Mohapatra, undersecretary at Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office.
The meteorological department said, during last couple of days, 21 districts of the state received normal rainfall while it was below normal in eight districts. Due to the prevailing low pressure conditions in north Odisha and Ganges Valley, heavy rainfall is forecast in next 48 hours.
Western and Southern Odisha also received rainfalls during the weekend. The water level at Hati river has been above the danger level and has cut routes connecting Bhawanipatna, Jaypore and Vishakhapatanam.
“Water levels in some rivers, especially in Western Odisha are rising. We have asked the district authorities to vacate the villages situated on the river banks. However, there is no sign of flood as yet,” Surya Narayan Patro, state revenue and disaster management minister said.
Meanwhile, the SRC office communicated that water level in Hati river is rising because of water released from Mukhiguda hydro power project. Similarly, water level in Mahanadi is rising due to release of excess water from Hirakud dam.
The water levels in all the seven reservoirs in the state that produce hydro power are above the Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) and are approaching FRL (Full Reservoir River).
As per the data available from Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC), the total hydro power generation was slightly higher at 510 MW on Friday, lower than usual monsoon period generation of 800 to 900 MW.
However, power trading officials said total power generation has gone up by more than 150 MW in last two days.
