Bhubaneswar: Even as floodwater entered Ma Bhattarika temple in Odisha’s Cuttack district, the local MLA Debi Mishra visited the shrine to take stock of the situation on Sunday.
The BJD legislator went around the flooded premises of the temple, located on the banks of Mahanadi river at Sasanga village in his Badamba constituency, and interacted with its servitors and local people.
Speaking to media persons after the visit, the MLA said though the temple is almost half submerged, the deity is safe. In case of more inflow of water, Devi idol would be shifted to safe place, he added.
He said at present, nearly 6 lakh cusec water was flowing into Mahanadi. Normally the entire area is flooded, if the inflow crosses 10 lakh cusec.
Stating that there was no need for panic, he said the situation would worsen, if Tel And Sukha rivers, the tributaries of Mahanadi, are flooded in case of more rain in their catchments areas. Besides, release of excess water from dams in Chhattisgarh would lead to flood in the areas on the banks of Mahanadi.
It may be noted that Anand Sahu, chief engineer, Hirakud Dam, on Saturday said the neighbouring state was not cooperating in the flood management and was releasing excess water from its dams on Mahanadi without informing Odisha authorities.
However, the MLA said the district administration is keeping a close watch on the situation and making people aware of new developments. All government officials at block level, Fire Brigade and disaster agencies have been alerted and their leave cancelled till the situation normalises.
