Bhubaneswar: While most parts of the south-western Odisha have been experiencing heavy rainfall since last three days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another low pressure which is most likely to form over the North Bay of Bengal on September 1.
“The low-pressure which was formed over the north-west Bay of Bengal on August 25 has moved towards the north-west direction and lay centred over Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. It will turn into a well-marked low pressure in the next 24 hours. Under its influence, there would be heavy rainfall in the upper catchments of Mahanadi,” said an IMD release.
It further said that another low-pressure is most likely to form over the North Bay of Bengal on September 1. Under its influence, there would be heavy rainfall in the north and coastal Odisha, which will continue for three days till September 4.
In the release on Tuesday, the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, has sounded thunderstorm and lightning alert for eight districts of Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Dhenkanal and Nayagarh and advised people to stay indoors till 1.30 pm.
Meanwhile, acting on the IMD forecast, authorities of the Hirakud Dam have opened 15 more gates. The dam authorities had opened five gates on Monday night, 10 more gates were opened on Tuesday morning.
The water level of the reservoir was 622.50 feet by 6 pm on Monday.
To ensure the water level of the reservoir under 623 feet, the inflow and outflow of the water of the dam were maintained at 92,020 cusecs per second.
Due to torrential rain, the water level in Balimela reservoir near Gurupriya bridge in Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri district is on the rise. Till reports last came in, the water level was nearing the maximum capacity of the reservoir, which is 1516 cubic feet. The authorities have informed that the gates of the reservoir would be opened once it touches the optimum level.
In Koraput, water level of the Jalaput reservoir of the Machhkund hydropower project is gradually rising. “If rainfall continues, we will be forced to open more gates to maintain the water level of dam at 2748 feet. At present, 15,000 cusecs of water per second is discharged from the reservoir from five gates,” said executive engineer CD Panda.
In Kalahandi district, the water level of Udanti, Tel, Utei and Hati rivers are flowing under the danger level. However, there is no flood threat in the district at the moment as the rainfall in the district has subsided in the last 24 hours.
However, road communication between Kalahandi and Raipur was cut off last night with floodwater flowing on a bridge at Badabasul. Besides, 60-70 houses have been completely damaged due to heavy rain since last three days.
In Bhadrak district, road communication to six panchayats was disrupted after the approach road of the Salandi embankment caved in near Govindpur on Tuesday morning.
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