Bhubaneswar: Even as floodwaters began receding in some parts of Odisha, the overall situation remained grim on Saturday with authorities maintaining a high alert in several downstream districts following increased discharge from the Hirakud Dam and rising water levels in major river systems.
The Odisha government issued flood alerts for Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts as swelling waters in the Mahanadi and its distributaries threaten to inundate more low-lying areas. Officials warned that rivers such as the Luna, Karandia, Chitrotpala, Paika and Devi, besides the Kushabhadra, Bhargavi and Daya, are likely to witness further rise in water levels.
The water resources department has been closely regulating the Hirakud reservoir. With heavy inflows from the upper catchments, authorities progressively opened more sluice gates to release excess water. By Saturday morning, 22 gates of the dam were operational after two additional gates were opened. The reservoir was receiving an inflow of over 4.15 lakh cusecs, while nearly 3.89 lakh cusecs of water was being discharged downstream. Officials said the increased release is aimed at maintaining a safe reservoir level while continuously monitoring the downstream impact.
The Mahanadi at Mundali was reported to be flowing below the danger mark, though officials cautioned that water levels could rise again as additional discharge from Hirakud reaches downstream stretches. The flow at Khairmal is expected to increase significantly, prompting authorities to intensify surveillance along vulnerable riverbanks.
Several districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Khordha and Mayurbhanj, continue to battle inundation caused by incessant rainfall and overflowing rivers. Thousands of families have been displaced, while extensive damage has been reported to houses, roads, standing crops and public infrastructure. In Bhadrak, flood-hit residents have taken shelter in cyclone shelters where the administration is providing cooked food and other essential relief materials.
In Khordha district, floodwaters from the Rajua River have cut off several villages, leaving residents stranded and awaiting assistance. Kendrapara is facing a dual challenge of floodwaters and the threat of crocodile attacks, with hundreds of families marooned in riverine panchayats. Although water has started receding in parts of Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur, restoration of connectivity and rehabilitation of affected families remain major challenges.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected districts of Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur to assess the extent of damage and review relief and rescue operations. The state administration has directed district collectors and disaster response agencies to remain on high alert, with rescue teams continuing evacuation, relief distribution and monitoring of vulnerable embankments. Authorities have urged people residing in low-lying areas to stay away from rivers and strictly follow official advisories until the flood situation improves.