Flood Threat Looms Large In Boudh, Sonepur

Bhubaneswar: Following the release of water from the Hirakud dam, the danger of flood looms large in Boudh and Sonepur districts.

In Boudh district, the Hanuman temple near the Boudh town has been submerged by the swirling floodwater of Mahanadi that has also entered the low-lying areas of Sahupada.

Due to overflowing of floodwater at a height of 5 feet on the Jagannath Sadak the people of 30 villages of Boudh, Kantamal and Harabhanga blocks are in a state of panic.

In Khairmal, the water level of Mahanadi has been inching towards the danger mark. As against the danger mark of 109 metres, the floodwater is flowing at a height of 105.43 metres.

In Sonepur, the floodwater of Mahanadi and Tel river has been rising at an alarming rate. Road communication from Sonepur to Boudh and Athmallick has been cut off with Mahanadi water flowing at a height of about 14 feet on Baurijora bridge. Besides, road connectivity between Sonepur and Birajamaharajpur has been disrupted due to overflowing of the floodwater at a height of 2 feet on a bridge near Bijepur.

In Malkangiri district, the water level of Balimela reservoir was flowing near the danger mark. The dam authorities on Wednesday morning opened the two gates to release 20,000 cusecs of water per second to maintain the water level at 2748 feet. The authorities have informed the district administration to alert the people of Doraguda, Gundawana and Nuaguda villages near the reservoir periphery and ask them not to move near the Sileru river bank.

In Cuttack district, the floodwater of Mahanadi has entered the Bhattarika temple near Badamba town. In Banki sub-division, road communication between Similipur and Bilapada has been cut off due to overflowing of Mahanadi water at a height of 2 feet on the main road at Kainanala. In Athagarh block, the floodwater was flowing at a height of 2 feet on Huluhula bridge. As a result, road communication between Athagarh and Ratagarh village has been disrupted.

At Naraj, the water level of Mahanadi has crossed the danger mark. As against the danger level of 25.41 metres, the floodwater was flowing at a height of 25.52 metres by 10 am on Wednesday.

In Bhadrak district, the floodwater of Salandi river has entered several villages in Bilana, Baro and Talapokabindha and Kampada panchayats of Tihidi block and Bhadrak municipality areas. The floodwater has entered Bishnupur and Bindhagan panchayats and submerged hundreds of acres of paddy field.

The water level of Salandi river had crossed the danger mark following the release of the Hadagarh dam gates on Tuesday afternoon.

Sources in the Water Resources department said that about 8 lakh cusecs of floodwater of Mahanadi would reach Mundali barrage on Thursday morning. In view of the situation, the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has asked the collectors of 14 downstream districts to stay alert and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the people.

To meet any eventuality, the NDRF, ODRAF and the Fire Brigade personnel have been kept in readiness.