Bhubaneswar: The administration in Odisha’s Kataka district has prohibited the entry of devotees to Hhabaleswar temple following significant rise in water level in Mahanadi River.
The Sub-Collector of Athagarh today issued an order in this regard. As per the order, devotees will not be allowed to enter Dhabaleswar shrine, located on an islet in Mahanadi, for 48 hours due to heavy flow of floodwater in the river.
Dhabaleswar temple is a popular Shaivite shrine in Odisha. Hundreds of devotees from across the state visit the shrine every day.
“Due to swelling of water level in River Mahanadi, it is hereby ordered as a public safety measure that the entry of devotees and visitors to Lord Dhabaleswar Pitha shall not be allowed for 48 hours from 4 pm on July 30,” the order said.
The administration has directed the Tehsildar of Athagarh and the IIC of Gurudijhatia police station to ensure the strict implementation of the prohibition order.
As per the official data, the water level at Hirakud dam reached 617.43 feet by Thursday morning. The rise in water level in Mahanadi may trigger a moderate flood in the downstream. Over 9.5 lakh cusecs of water is expected to flow in the river at Mundali near Kataka.
