Bhubaneswar: The flood situation in Odisha’s Mahanadi river system has become increasingly concerning, with 26 sluice gates of the Hirakud Dam open for the release of water downstream.
Around 8 lakh cusecs of floodwater reportedly reached Mundali by Monday evening, raising concerns in communities located along the Mahanadi and its tributaries, particularly in low-lying areas.
Authorities are closely monitoring the movement of floodwater as it travels downstream and assessing its potential impact on several districts.
Over 5 Lakh Cusecs Released From Hirakud
The Hirakud reservoir was receiving approximately 5.01 lakh cusecs of water per second, while the outflow stood at around 5.14 lakh cusecs.
The reservoir’s water level was recorded at 629.69 feet.
With the volume being released downstream exceeding the current inflow, officials are keeping a close watch on the reservoir and the downstream river system. The movement of water through the Mahanadi and its distributaries is being monitored as authorities assess the possibility of flooding in vulnerable locations.
Hundreds of Acres of Farmland Submerged in Banki
The rising water level has already affected agricultural land in parts of Cuttack district.
In the Banki area, floodwater has entered the branch rivers Ran and Chandrapara, resulting in the inundation of hundreds of acres of farmland.
The situation has caused concern among farmers, particularly because this is reportedly the third flood of the season in the area.
Repeated inundation can cause significant damage to standing crops and leave farmers facing additional expenses and financial losses. Local residents are closely watching the water level as floodwaters continue to move through the river system.
Dhabaleswar Temple Entry Restricted
The rising Mahanadi water level has also prompted precautionary measures around important religious sites.
Authorities have restricted entry of devotees to the Dhabaleswar shrine until Tuesday evening in view of the prevailing flood situation.
Section 163 has also been imposed in the area as a precautionary measure to regulate movement and help maintain public safety during the period of heightened flood risk.
The restrictions are intended to prevent people from entering areas that could become unsafe as water levels continue to rise.
Floodwater Enters Maa Bhattarika Temple
The impact of the rising river level has also been reported at Badamba, where floodwater has entered the sanctum sanctorum of Maa Bhattarika Shakti Peetha.
The development highlights the extent to which rising water levels are affecting areas located close to the Mahanadi and its associated waterways.
Authorities are keeping the situation under observation as water continues to move through the river system.
Cuttack, Khordha and Puri Among Vulnerable Districts
According to the Engineer-in-Chief of the Water Resources Department, the movement of floodwater in the Mahanadi system could affect low-lying areas of several districts.
These include:
- Cuttack
- Khordha
- Puri
- Jagatsinghpur
Parts of Patkura and Garadpur in Kendrapara district may also experience the impact as the floodwater moves further downstream.
The extent of flooding will depend on the movement of water through the Mahanadi system, river levels and conditions in downstream areas.
Administration Monitoring River Levels
With a substantial volume of water moving downstream, district administrations and water resources authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
Officials are tracking river levels and the progress of floodwater in vulnerable locations while remaining prepared to respond if conditions deteriorate.
People living in low-lying and flood-prone areas have been advised to remain alert and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
Residents are also being urged to avoid unnecessary movement near swollen rivers, canals and other waterways as the flood situation develops.
Flood Situation Remains Under Watch
The opening of 26 Hirakud gates and the movement of large volumes of water towards Mundali have increased concerns across the Mahanadi basin.
With agricultural land already submerged in Banki and precautionary restrictions imposed at religious sites, authorities are maintaining close surveillance of the downstream situation.
The coming hours will be important as officials continue to monitor water levels and assess the impact across Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and other vulnerable areas.
