Bhubaneswar: Heavy rainfall in the Mahanadi basin has led to a significant surge in water levels in Odisha’s Hirakud Dam, prompting the authorities to open 20 sluice gates for floodwater discharge.
The government is anticipating a flood-like situation with heavy rainwater inflow from upper catchment areas. At 9 am on Saturday, water level at Hirakud Dam was at 610.31 feet against its full reservoir capacity of 630 feet. The dam is receiving 3,42,453 cusecs of water per second and releasing 3,35,649 cusecs.
Odisha has been witnessing persistent rains since Thursday night, leading to rise in water levels of major rivers in the state. Two Engineers-in-Chief have been deputed from Bhubaneswar to Subarnarekha and Baitarani basins to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, Kendrapada Collector Smruti Ranjan Pradhan reviewed flood preparedness in Pattamundai and Aul blocks. He also visited low-lying GPs of these blocks.
The Cuttack district administration has cancelled leaves of all officials as a precautionary measure to ensure all necessary personnel are available to respond to any emergency situation caused by heavy rainfall forecast for the district.
In Mayurbhanj, heavy rain for over 12 hours forced shops and street businesses to down shutters. Waterlogging was reported near NH-18, creating transportation problems. Rivers Jarali, Sarali, Sukhjoda and Budhabalanga passing through Baripada town faced flood threat as water reached the banks.
The Jalaka river in Balasore breached the danger mark of 6.50 metres early Friday, reaching 6.80 metres at Mathani by 7 am, prompting a red alert for downstream regions. The Water Resources Department is constantly monitoring the situation, especially in upstream areas like Rasgovindpur, Shuliapada, and Chitrada, which have experienced heavy rainfall.
Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari held a meeting to review the preparedness as Mahanadi and Brahmani also witnessed a rise in the water levels on Friday. He directed the officials to be in a state of readiness and take measures to handle any emergency.
Depression to move west–northwestwards in 36 hours
Meanwhile, the Depression over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 25 kmph during past 6 hours and was about 20 km northwest of Ranchi (Jharkhand), 120 km west-northwest of Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), 120 km east-northeast of Jashpurnagar (Chhattisgarh) and 200 km east of Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh) at 5.30 am.
It is very likely to continue to move west–northwestwards across Jharkhand, and adjoining north Chhattisgarh and northeast Madhya Pradesh and adjoining southeast Uttar Pradesh during the next 36 hours.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh & East Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand on July 26; West Madhya Pradesh on July 26-27. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand from July 26-30.
Odisha is likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 26 and isolated heavy rainfall from July 27-29. Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds (speed reaching 30-40 Kmph) likely over the region during the next 7 days.
Warning for July 26
Heavy to very heavy rain along with thunderstorm/lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph may occur at one or two places in Sundargarh district.
Heavy rain along with thunderstorm/lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is also likely at one or two places in Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Deogarh and Sonepur.
Thunderstorm/lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph may also occur at one or two places in Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Angul, Boudh and Balangir.
