Bhubaneswar: Despite widespread heavy rainfall triggered by a low-pressure system, the Odisha government has ruled out any immediate flood threat in the state, even as reports of waterlogging and damage continue to emerge from several districts.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday confirmed that no river in the state is currently flowing above the danger mark, although water levels are gradually rising in some areas.

“While Bhadrak, Jharsuguda, and Sundargarh districts have reported damages due to the heavy downpour, and low-lying areas are waterlogged, floodwaters have not entered any residential zones,” the Minister stated.

District Collectors have been put on alert and directed to stay prepared for any potential flood situation. Relief camps and flood shelters have been kept ready, and teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have already been deployed.

Pujari also urged residents in vulnerable areas to move to nearby shelter homes if floodwaters enter their homes.

“I have requested detailed damage assessment reports from Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts. Compensation funds will be released to the respective collectors by this evening based on their submissions,” he added.

Meanwhile, the water level in the Mahanadi river system is on the rise following the release of the season’s first floodwater from Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur district on Sunday.

“Currently, 3.34 lakh cusecs of water are being discharged through 20 sluice gates at Hirakud. Approximately 4.5 lakh cusecs are expected to reach Mundali tomorrow, which is still below the danger level,” said Chandra Sekhar Padhi, Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) of the Water Resources Department.

He assured that further decisions on additional gate openings will depend on rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi. “Two gates at Rengali Dam are also open. Though Budhabalanga river recorded 55 mm of rain, the increased flow poses no serious threat,” Padhi clarified.