Mahanadi Swells, Flood Threat Looms Large In Odisha; Several Breaches Reported
More than 9.5 lakh cusecs of floodwater are likely to pass through Mundali: Officials
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha is bracing for a major flood as the Mahanadi river system swells rapidly following heavy rainfall in its upper catchments and massive inflows from neighbouring Chhattisgarh, prompting the state government to issue alerts for several downstream districts.
Officials said more than 9.5 lakh cusecs of floodwater are likely to pass through Mundali, the state's key flood-monitoring point on the Mahanadi, over the next 24 to 48 hours, raising fears of widespread inundation in low-lying coastal areas.
The situation was aggravated by continuous rainfall over the Mahanadi basin under the influence of a cyclonic system over the Bay of Bengal. Simultaneously, Chhattisgarh has released floodwater through 64 of the 66 sluice gates of the Kalama barrage, resulting in a sharp rise in inflows into the Hirakud reservoir.
To regulate the inflow, authorities have opened 22 sluice gates of the Hirakud Dam, releasing nearly five lakh cusecs of water downstream. More gates may be opened if inflows continue to increase.
The water resources department warned that rising water levels in the Mahanadi would also affect its distributaries, including the Kathajodi, Luna, Chitrotpala, Kuakhai, Devi, Bhargavi, Kushabhadra, Daya, Karandia, Paika and Dhanua, posing flood risks to Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts. The Banki and Athagarh subdivisions in Cuttack have been identified as particularly vulnerable.
Flood conditions have already emerged in parts of the river system. The Bhargavi River at Balanga was flowing above its danger level, while the Devi River at Bauriakana also crossed the danger mark. At Jobra Anicut, nearly 3.97 lakh cusecs of water was being discharged as pressure mounted on the downstream channels.
A breach in the Mahanadi embankment at Jodum under Badamba block in Cuttack district submerged agricultural land, while floodwaters inundated the historic Maa Bhattarika Temple, forcing authorities to impose restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) around the shrine and nearby Singhanath Temple. Officials advised devotees to avoid visiting the temples until water levels recede.
Flood conditions also worsened in northern Odisha. In Jajpur, seven embankment breaches were reported, with the Brahmani, Kharasrota and Kandal rivers flowing above danger levels and inundating several villages. Although floodwaters have started receding in Balasore, many villages remain cut off due to damaged roads.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed district administrations to maintain round-the-clock surveillance, strengthen vulnerable embankments, keep rescue teams on standby and remain prepared for evacuation as authorities urged residents of low-lying areas to stay alert and follow official advisories.
