Small to Medium Flood Likely: EIC Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty

Bhubaneswar: The state is likely to experience a small to medium flood situation this season as heavy rains lash various parts of Odisha. The water level of Baitarini River is currently above the danger mark and has started receding at Akhuapada and Anandpur. While the water level of Brahmani is rising at Jenapur, there is nothing to worry and the risk is very below. According to Engineer in Chief, Water Resources, Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty, there has been heavy rainfall at Barmul due to which the Mahanadi water level was rising but it has started receding. Currently 8 lakh 28 thousand cusecs of water is flowing at Mundali in Cuttack and it is expected to rise further. By this evening, it is expected that 9 lakh to 9. 5 lakh cusecs of water will flow through Mundali.

There has been a report of a slight cut on the embankments of Kani river which has been taken care immediately and no other major breaches have been reported from anywhere. According to the EIC, there won’t be any major flood situation. Only a minor to medium flooding will be there. Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu today held a review meeting with all the District Collectors and they have been instructed to remain alert. Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri and Khurda district administration and officials of the Water Resources Department haven told to remain alert. As the water flow in the Mahanadi River will increase tonight, peak flood water will flow through Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack and Puri districts by tomorrow morning. Senior officers have been deputed to the affected places and are on the ground.

Tonight will be most important for Mahanadi, There is no threat from Bansadhara river. Due to heavy rains in Barmul, water level at Gania in Nayagarh, and low laying areas of Banki in Cuttack are likely to be affected. There have been heavy rains in the upper catchment areas of Hirakud where rains of 90 to 100 mm were recorded. There have been heavy rains in Ib of Sundargarh and Bheden subcathcment areas but the water level of Hirakud remains low.