Flood Alert Issued for 10 Odisha Districts as Mahanadi River Swells

Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu has alerted 10 districts as the Mahanadi River's water level rises due to water discharge from Hirakud Dam. The districts include Sambalpur, Sonepur, Nayagarh, Angul, Boudh, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara. Low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.

On Friday, Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu issued an alert to collectors of 10 districts following an increase in the Mahanadi River's water level due to discharge from Hirakud Dam.

The districts placed on alert are Sambalpur, Sonepur, Nayagarh, Angul, Boudh, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara. A total of 5.78 lakh cusecs of water was flowing in Mahanadi at Mundali at 8 am, a senior official reported.

Sahu emphasized special attention to residents in low-lying areas. Additionally, six more sluice gates at Hirakud Dam were opened to release more water. Currently, water is being released through 14 gates. The dam's water level was recorded at 612.25 ft at 6 am, compared to its full reservoir level of 630 ft.

Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty assured there was no flood threat despite some rivers swelling. However, reports indicate that floodwater has already entered low-lying areas in Khurda and Cuttack districts.