The Odisha government has issued a high alert for several coastal districts following predictions of a significant Mahanadi flood. Officials expect a peak flow of 5.5 lakh cusecs to pass through the Mundali barrage near Cuttack by late Monday. Authorities have initiated precautionary measures, including the deployment of disaster response teams to vulnerable low-lying areas.
BHUBANESWAR – Odisha is bracing for a medium-level flood as the Mahanadi river and its tributaries have swelled due to heavy rainfall in their upper catchment areas. The state government has put the administrations of several coastal districts on high alert to handle the impending flood situation.
In a press briefing on Sunday, the state’s Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Mr. Satyabrata Sahu, confirmed that the peak floodwater is expected to reach the delta region within the next 24 to 36 hours.
“We anticipate a flow of approximately 5.5 lakh cusecs at Mundali by Monday evening,” Mr. Sahu stated. “While this is a medium-level flood, we are taking no chances. All district collectors in the Mahanadi basin have been instructed to remain fully prepared.”
Government Response and Precautionary Measures
The state machinery has been activated to mitigate the impact of the flood. The government has directed the evacuation of people residing in low-lying areas close to the riverbanks as a primary safety measure.
Key actions taken include:
- Deployment of Rescue Teams: A total of eight teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 12 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been strategically positioned in the vulnerable districts of Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur.
- District-Level Alerts: Collectors of Angul, Nayagarh, Khordha, Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara have been asked to closely monitor the situation and ensure that all contingency plans are in place.
- Emergency Shelters: Multipurpose flood and cyclone shelters have been prepared with provisions for food, clean drinking water, and medical supplies.
Managing Water Flow from Hirakud Dam
A critical component of managing the Mahanadi flood is the regulation of water released from the Hirakud Dam, the state’s largest reservoir. According to the Water Resources Department, heavy rainfall in the upstream areas, particularly in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, has led to a significant inflow of water into the dam.
As of Sunday morning, the reservoir’s water level stood at 625 feet, against a full reservoir level of 630 feet. “To manage the inflow and maintain a safe level in the reservoir, we are currently discharging excess water through 12 sluice gates,” a senior official from the department explained. The controlled release is crucial to prevent a more severe flood downstream.
Understanding the Flood’s Intensity
A flow of 5.5 lakh cusecs (cubic feet per second) at Mundali is classified as a medium-level flood. This volume is significant enough to inundate low-lying agricultural fields and villages but is considerably less than the major floods Odisha has witnessed in the past. For context, the 2011 flood saw a peak flow of over 11 lakh cusecs, causing widespread devastation.
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Officials are carefully monitoring the water levels at key gauging points like Khairmal and Barmul to get a more precise forecast of the peak flow as it moves towards the coast. The primary concern remains the Mahanadi delta, a densely populated and agriculturally rich region.
The administration has appealed to the public not to panic but to remain vigilant and follow the instructions issued by local authorities. Fishermen have also been advised not to venture into the river until the situation normalizes. The next 48 hours will be critical in determining the full extent of the flood’s impact on the state.
