Water Resources Dept Rules Out Flood Threat To Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The authorities on Monday ruled out immediate flood threat to the state despite incessant rains in the coastal and western areas since Friday.

According to Water Resources Chief Engineer Dhiren Samal, preventive measures have been taken to ensure that vulnerable areas of the state are not affected by floods as the department has been monitoring the irrigation gates of reservoirs for Kharif cultivation. The authorities have identified 20 vulnerable spots across the state. Except Hirakud and Rengali reservoirs, water level in the remaining 44 medium rervoirs in the state have less than 50 per cent of water. While Hirakud dam has registered a water level of 78 per cent of its storage capacity, Rengali has 83 per cent of its capacity.

Samal said, leaves of all employees of the department have been cancelled as a precautionary measure to ensure that officials are available at their respective workplaces round-the-clock in case of an eventuality.

Although there is warning of a cyclonic circulation by September 18, the situation is being monitored. Rainfall from the basins of Rivers Rushikulya, Indravati, Brahmani and Suvarnarekha in the past one week has not been alarming to cause a flood threat as they are flowing below thier danger mark, he added.

However, the officials are watching the situation in view of a flood warning issued by climatologist Uma Shankar Dash. Incessant rain followed by a deficient rain may bring danger of floods especially when it rains profusely in the upper reaches of a river, Dash had said, indicating that sudden downpour within a short period may cause flash floods.