Hirakud Flood Discharge Reaches Cuttack; IMD Issues Rain Alert

According to the State Water Resources Department, water is currently being released through 20 sluice gates of Hirakud Dam — 13 on the left bank and seven on the right — as part of its annual monsoon flood management strategy. The operation was initiated on Sunday morning, starting with the opening of gate number seven at 10 AM, and progressively expanded in response to rising inflows from the upper catchment areas in Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

Officials confirmed that although floodwaters have started reaching the deltaic region of the Mahanadi, no immediate flood threat exists for downstream areas. The department’s Chief Engineer stated that real-time monitoring is underway, and any decision on adjusting the number of open sluice gates will depend on rainfall activity in the upstream regions.

As of Monday morning, the water level at Hirakud stood at 609.79 feet. The dam was receiving an inflow of 3,42,453 cusecs of water per second while releasing 3,35,649 cusecs downstream — a marginal surplus in inflow that has resulted in a gradual rise in the reservoir’s storage level. In anticipation of continued rain in the catchment areas, districts along the river’s path have been put on heightened alert.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow warnings for several parts of Odisha, predicting widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over the next 48 hours. Districts such as Bargarh, Bolangir, and Nuapada have been placed under an orange warning and are likely to experience very heavy rainfall. A yellow alert has also been sounded for Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Boudh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, and Sundargarh, where heavy showers with lightning are forecast.

Coastal districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Puri, and Khordha are expected to receive moderate rainfall with isolated lightning. Local administrations have been directed to keep emergency response teams ready to tackle possible incidents of flash floods, waterlogging, and lightning strikes.

The prevailing wet spell is being driven by an active southwest monsoon coupled with a low-pressure area hovering over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha. The system is expected to move northwestward, triggering moderate to heavy showers across many parts of interior Odisha over the next two days. While the intensity of rainfall may ease after Tuesday, yellow warnings will remain in effect on July 9 for Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Bolangir, and Nuapada districts.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious and heed official advisories.