Sambalpur/Bhubaneswar: After heavy downpour in the upper catchment areas of Mahanadi River, authorities of the Hirakud Dam in Odisha’s Sambalpur are set to release the season’s first floodwater on July 9.
Excess water will be discharged from the Hirakud reservoir into the Mahanadi River on Thursday morning and a flood alert has been issued in view of the release, according to the Additional Chief Engineer of the Hirakud Dam Circle.
District administrations, police, municipal authorities, and other departments concerned have been directed to take all necessary precautionary measures.
Authorities have also been instructed to ensure that the downstream riverbed is cleared of people and activities to prevent any loss of life or property.
Meanwhile, incessant rains over the last five days led to rise in water level of Baitarani River in its catchment areas. Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari on Monday conducted a high-level meeting to review preparedness for tackling a possible flood-like situation.
Stating that the government is fully prepared to deal with any emergency, Pujari said the water level of Baitarani has witnessed a relative rise at Anandapur and Akhuapada and officials are keeping a close watch on all major rivers. So far, no significant loss of life or damage to houses has been reported due to the continuous rainfall, he said.
However, reports of crop damage have been received from some areas. The district administrations have been directed to immediately conduct surveys, assess the extent of crop loss and submit reports to the department, the Minister said.
The authorities have been directed to disburse compensation to the affected farmers within 24 hours of completion of the damage assessment, he said.
A report from Jajpur said that two breaches have developed in the embankment of the Kani River, a distributary of the Baitarani, at Kantapada in Dasarathpur block of the district.
While one breach is around 70 feet wide, the other one measuring about 50 feet, has formed nearly 150 feet away from the first. Both breaches have occurred near agricultural fields, causing floodwater to spread into nearby farmlands.
The inundation has affected agricultural land in several panchayats, including Malikapur, Duduraanta, Shushua, Mangalpur and Kanikapada. Floodwater has also entered some low-lying areas, increasing concerns among residents.
In Sonpur, nearly 1.5 feet of water was reportedly flowing over the Khairmal Bridge under Singhijuba Gram Panchayat in Binika block. The flooded bridge has made commuting risky, forcing residents to cross the submerged stretch on foot or on two-wheelers despite the danger.
The bridge is a key link for Khairmal and several neighbouring villages and also connects the route towards Bargarh, making it an important corridor for daily commuters, traders and students.
