Minor flooding in Mahanadi River system likely

Bhubaneswar: With opening of more sluice gates of Hirakud Dam due to continuous rainfall in upper catchment areas, minor flooding is expected in Mahanadi River system in Odisha, informed Engineer-in-Chief Bijay Kumar Mishra today.

Addressing media, he said that by opening of more sluice gates to release excess floodwaters from the Hirakud Dam may result in minor flood in downstream areas of Mahanadi River.

Today, four more sluice gates of the reservoir have been opened. The water is being released through 20 gates. Currently, the water level at Hirakud dam stands at 616.85 ft against maximum capacity of 630 ft. While 4.50 lakh cusec water is entering into the dam, around 4 lakh cusec water is being discharged from the reservoir. By 8 am of August 14, approximately 6 lakh cusec water will be released, he told reporters.

“Normally, the places in downstream get affected if more than 24 gates of Hirakud dam are opened. The collectors of respective districts have been asked to stay alert and monitor the situation. Today, 4 gates have been opened and more gates are likely to be opened later in the day,” the EIC said while ruling out the flash flood situation in the state.

When asked about increase in water level in most of the rivers in the state due to incessant rainfall, he said, “besides Jalaka and Baitarani rivers, the water level is rising in other rivers too, but below the danger mark. Till 9 am today, the water level in Rushikulya River in Madhabgarh area is increasing. The engineers in coastal division have been directed to check the embankments.

Following opening of more number of sluice gates of Hirakud Dam, the water level is increasing in downstream areas of Mahanadi River.

Sources said that approximately 5.20 lakh cusec water is being released through Khairmal barrage, 2.78 lakh cusec water through Mundali barrage, 1.66 lakh cusec water through Jobra barrage, 1.12 lakh cusec in Kathajodi and 3.56 lakh cusec water through Baramula barrage.