Odisha flood situation may worsen as Hirakud Dam releases water through 40 gates

Bhubaneswar: The Hirakud Dam started releasing flood water through 40 gates, this evening. While the flood water was being released through 26 gates, 5 more gates were opened after 4 pm, taking the total number of opened gates to 31. Later in the evening, nine more gates were opened.

The decision was made taking into consideration the water level of the reservoir and need for moderating the flood, said Bijay Kumar Mishra, Engineer in Chief of Odisha Water Resources Department.

The release of more water is likely to worsen the flood situation in the state as Mahanadi river is already in spate inundating many villages in several districts of the state.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today asked top officials of the State government to ensure ‘zero casualty’ in flood, during a review meeting held here on the prevalent situation.

Patnaik ordered the Collectors of 10 flood-affected districts (including Sambalpur, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Cuttack and Kendrapara) to ensure road connectivity, evacuate people from the ‘at risk’ areas and stay prepared for relief and rescue operations.

The Chief Minister also directed Chief Secretary and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) to constantly keep reviewing the flood situation, an official source said.

Due to low pressure-induced incessant rains at upper catchment region of Mahanadi River that battered the State for last few days, flood-like situation has occurred in at least 10 districts.