The Mahanadi River is in full spate due to incessant rain in the upper catchment area. The water level is rising with each passing day. The water level of the Hirakud reservoir is rising continuously. Floodwater is being discharged through 22 gates of the Hirakud reservoir.
According to the information available, 13 gates on the left side and nine gates on the right side are open. According to the official information, “Water (is being) discharged through 22 gates at Hirakud. 3.73 lakh cusecs of water entering the reservoir and 3,85,893 cusecs of water discharged from Hirakud.” Further the information was given that, “Current water level at Hirakud Dam: 625.45 feet.”
According to information, a total of 14 gates were open till yesterday. Floodwater was being discharged through eight sluice gates on the left side and four on the right side. Since rains have been lashing various parts of the state since the past few days, flood situation has been created in various places.
On the other hand, Hirakud Reservoir authorities have further informed that more gates of Hirakud dam might open if the water level in the upper catchment area rises due to continuous rain.
However, it is worth mentioning here that, flood relief in Odisha is underway on war footing. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is directly supervising the entire operation. The government is taking all possible steps to provide flood relief in Odisha to the affected people.
It is worth mentioning here that, the flood in Odisha has now become a matter of concern for the government as over two lakh people across six districts have already been affected. According to the Special Relief Commissioner of Odisha, “more than two lakh three thousand people in 748 villages have been affected, as many as 28 thousand residents have been evacuated.”
