Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has cancelled the leave of all its employees in flood-affected districts of the state to ensure prompt and effective response to the situation.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who chaired a meeting on the flood situation with the officials concerned, said that all government employees in the affected districts have been asked to remain on duty. The move is aimed at ensuring swift response in the flood-affected areas.
The district collectors have been authorised to decide on the closure of schools based on the prevailing conditions in their respective areas, he said.
Pujari said the flood situation in northern Odisha is expected to improve gradually, while the impact of heavy rainfall is likely to increase in southern and western parts of the state.
Meanwhile, a moderate flood is expected in the Mahanadi River by Thursday evening.
While the water level in the Mahanadi is likely to rise, the discharge at Naraj barrage in Kataka will be regulated and the flow will not exceed 9 lakh cusecs, Pujari said.
A decision on opening additional gates of the Hirakud Dam will be taken only after the reservoir level rises further.
While the situation in northern parts of the state is improving gradually, continuous rainfall is being recorded in Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Bargada, Nuapada, Balangir, Rayagada, Gajapati and Malkangiri districts, he said.
Regarding flood-related casualties, the Minister said three people have died in Kendujhar district during the ongoing floods. The victims include a fire service personnel who died due to electrocution while on duty, one person killed after a wall collapsed, and a child who was swept away in floodwaters.
Sharing information on the water flow status in Mahanadi, Engineer-in-Chief of the Water Resources Department, Dillip Kumar Rout, said two gates of the Hirakud Dam are currently open, and the reservoir level stands at 616 feet.
The inflow at Mundali is expected to reach between 8.5 lakh and 9 lakh cusecs by Thursday evening. As a result, low to moderate flooding is expected in the lower reaches of the Mahanadi and Daya rivers, he said
Floodwaters are likely to enter low-lying areas of Nimapada, Kanas, Gop and Astaranga in Puri district. He added that flood conditions continue in the Baitarani river basin, although inflows into the Salandi river have reduced.
Floodwaters have already inundated parts of Jajpur, Dasarathpur, Dhamnagar and Chandbali, he said. The situation in Bhadrak is expected to improve by Thursday.Minor breaches have occurred near Anandapur and Jajpur, which will be repaired after the floodwaters recede, he added.