Bhubaneswar, Sept. 29 (UDN): The flood situation in Odisha’s Mahanadi river system has intensified, with 26 gates of the Hirakud Dam currently open and more than five lakh cusecs of water being released downstream.
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The rising discharge has triggered concern across several low-lying areas, particularly in Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and parts of Kendrapara districts.
According to reports, nearly 8 lakh cusecs of floodwater reached Mundali by Monday evening, increasing the pressure on downstream areas along the Mahanadi system.
Hirakud Releases Over 5 Lakh Cusecs
The Hirakud reservoir was receiving around 5.01 lakh cusecs of water per second, while the downstream discharge stood at approximately 5.14 lakh cusecs.
The reservoir water level was reported at 629.69 feet. With outflow exceeding inflow, authorities are closely monitoring the movement of water through the downstream river system.
The impact is already being felt in several areas along the Mahanadi and its distributaries.
Farmland Under Water in Banki
Floodwaters have entered the Ran and Chandrapara branch rivers in the Banki area of Cuttack district, inundating hundreds of acres of agricultural land.
For farmers, the situation has become particularly difficult as this is reportedly the third flood of the season. Repeated inundation has raised concerns over crop losses and the economic impact on farming communities.
Dhabaleswar Temple Entry Restricted
Authorities have also imposed precautionary restrictions around the Dhabaleswar shrine as water levels continue to rise.
Entry of devotees has been restricted until Tuesday evening, while Section 163 has been imposed in the area to prevent any untoward incident.
At Badamba, floodwater has reportedly entered the sanctum sanctorum of the Maa Bhattarika Shakti Peetha, highlighting the extent of the flooding in areas located close to the Mahanadi.
Cuttack, Khordha, Puri Among Vulnerable Areas
Officials from the Water Resources Department have warned that rising Mahanadi levels could affect low-lying areas of Cuttack, Khordha, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts.
Parts of Patkura and Garadpur in Kendrapara district could also face the impact as the floodwater travels further downstream.
Authorities are keeping a close watch on river levels and the movement of floodwater to assess the situation in vulnerable locations.
Residents Advised to Remain Alert
With the Mahanadi continuing to carry a heavy volume of water, residents in low-lying and vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert and follow instructions issued by the local administration.
The coming hours will remain crucial as authorities monitor the downstream impact of the large volume of water being released from Hirakud.