Flood Threat Amid Swelling Mahanadi In Odisha: Rain Alert Issued For 9 Dists, Including Cuttack City

Bhubaneswar: While there is no heavy rain warning for Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for light to moderate rain accompanied by lightning at some places in nine districts of Odisha, including Cuttack city, till 4.30 pm on Thursday.

The districts likely to be affected are Bargarh, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Nayagarh and Cuttack, including Cuttack city. People have been advised to keep a watch on the weather and accordingly move to safer places to protect themselves from lightning strikes.

This warning has come amid a potential threat from flash floods in the state. With 9-9.5 lakh cusec of flood water likely to cross Mundali barrage on the Mahanadi river near Cuttack by this evening, officials said they are apprehending a medium-level flood in Angul, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada districts.

“The floodwater is expected to reach Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Puri tomorrow. Collectors of the three districts are on alert,” Water Resources EIC Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty said.

Floodwater discharge in Mahandi at Mundali and Barmul at noon stood at 8.65 lakh cusec and 9.27 lakh cusecs respectively. The water from the swelling river has already inundated Banki-Cuttack road. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have also been imposed in certain areas of Cuttack in view of the heavy flow of water in Mahanadi river.

Also Read: Odisha Braces For ‘Medium Flood’ In Mahanadi; 9.5 Lakh Cusec Floodwater To Pass Mundali By Evening

Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner has asked collectors of all districts in the region to take precautionary measures and keep a close watch on weak embankments. “481 villages in 12 districts have been affected by incessant rains. Collectors have been asked to submit damage assessment reports after rain subsides. Preparations have been made in seven districts in view of possible flood in Mahanadi system,” SRC Satyabrata Sahu said.

Additionally, Brathmani, Baitarani, Jalaka, Bansadhara, Nagabali and Jhanjabati rivers in northern and western Odisha are also in spate due to heavy rain in past few days. Three persons have reportedly died in the heavy rains. Officials in the state revenue and disaster management departments said a 70-year-old woman in Keonjhar district died following a wall collapse following incessant rain, while two people were washed away in Jajpur district.

According to the weather agency, light to moderate rain/thundershower is  likely to occur at many places in Interior Odisha and at a few places in coastal districts of Odisha till 8.30 am on Friday. Light to moderate rain/thundershower may continue at few places across the state till August 7.