Odisha Govt Rules Out Flood Threat After Release Of Mahanadi Water From Hirakud; Flow To Be Within 5L Cusec At Mundali

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday ruled out any threat of flood in Mahanadi river system though flow of water released from Hirakud Dam is increasing at Mundali barrage in Cuttack district.

Noting that the season’s first floodwater of the Mahanadi released from Hirakud Dam reached Mundali barrage early on Tuesday, engineeri-in-chief (EIC), Water Resources, Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty said the flow is around 2.6 lakh cusec at present.

However, following drop in water level in Hirakud reservoir, the flow is on the decline at Khairmal, while it is constant at Barmul, he said.

Though the flow of water is likely to increase at Mundali, it will go up to a maximum of five lakh cusec which is unlikely to lead to a flood-like situation, the EIC said.

“The situation is not alarming at all and there is no threat of flood at present. However, we are alert,” he said.

Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, who visited the flood control centre of the water resources department, also ruled out any flood threat in the state due to release of water from Hirakud Dam.

However, the state machinery is fully alert and keeping a close watch on the situation, she said.
Officials said that the floodwater of Mahanadi being released from 20 gates of Hirakud Dam since July 28 reached Mundali barrage early on Tuesday. However, the water level is quite below the danger level. Flood control rooms at Mundli and Naraj barrages are on alert.

Earlier, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu had instructed collectors of Sambalpur, Sonepur, Nayagarh, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada districts to remain alert and urged people to not enter the river.

Senior officers have been asked to monitor the situation to deal with any emergency.