Bhubaneswar: The flow of water in the Mahanadi River has increased substantially in Odisha following the release of floodwater from Hirakud Dam in in Sambalpur.
Following heavy rain in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi, as many as 20 sluice gates of Hirakud have been opened to discharge excess water from the reservoir.
Officials said the floodwater discharged from the reservoir has now reached Mundali in Cuttack district, significantly increasing the flow in the Mahanadi system.
Sources said around 5,64,85 cusec of floodwater was flowing through Mundali at 9 am on Friday. The flow is likely to rise further, touching 6.5 lakh cusecs at Mundali by Friday night.
Similarly, the flow of water in the Mahanadi was recorded at 2.62 lakh cusec at Naraj, 2.21 lakh cusec at Jobra, 4.64 lakh cusec at Barmul and 5.20 lakh cusec at Khairmal in the morning.
Meanwhile, the floodwater from the Mahanadi reached the temple of Ma Bhattarika in Cuttack district. Despite the situation, the Sodasa Upachar Puja is proceeding without any disruption at this temple. The Pujak Samiti and the Endowment Department are on high alert, closely monitoring the situation.
Although the water has reached the temple steps, it is yet to enter the main temple. However, if the water level rises by another 2 feet, it is likely to enter the temple.
The huge volume of water released from Hirakud is set to raise water levels in the tributaries of the Mahanadi, prompting authorities to advise people living in low-lying areas to remain on high alert.
Officials have cautioned that if the water flow through Mundali exceeds 7.5 lakh cusecs, several regions could face the impact. Areas such as Tigiria and parts of Banki may witness some damage, while farmlands in these belts could experience flooding.
The rising river poses particular risks to those dependent on it for their livelihood. Fishermen relying on the Mahanadi have been strongly advised not to venture into the water body, as the level is already high and is projected to rise further in the coming hours. Similarly, cultivators in the downstream areas face the threat of crop damage if water spills over into agricultural fields.
With floodwater flow steadily increasing, authorities have intensified monitoring of vulnerable regions. Emphasis has been placed on public awareness to ensure preparedness among residents in the flood-prone belts.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in parts of south and interior Odisha over the next two days due to a fresh low-pressure system forming over the Bay of Bengal. The system is likely to intensify into a depression and cross the South Odisha–North Andhra Pradesh coast by Saturday.
In view of the weather forecast, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and top officials of the Water Resources Department held a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation and chalk out plans to deal with any possible flood threat, waterlogging and submergence.
An orange warning has been issued for Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangapur while 11 other districts, including Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Khurda, are under yellow warning.
“We have asked the officers not to leave workplace till Saturday without taking permission in view of the heavy rainfall in the district in the next two days” said Ganjam Collector Keerthi Vassan V.
He said all 110 cyclone-shelter centres have been prepared and people from low-lying areas would be shifted if necessary.
Residents of vulnerable pockets will be alerted through public announcements before evacuation.
