Possible floods: CM asks officials to remain on alerte floods: CM asks officials to remain on alert

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday directed the concerned officials, including the district Collectors, to gear up for a possible flood situation in the State.

Patnaik, during a review meeting at the State Secretariat here, asked the administration to remain on high alert. He also asked the district administrations to immediately provide relief materials to people in the case of floods.

Patnaik directed the officials of the districts, where normalcy has returned, to submit damage assessment reports to the Government so that assistance can be provided to the victims. The Fire Services Department and the ODRAF were advised to help the district administrations in relief materials distribution and rescue operation.

Water Resources Secretary Pradeep Jena said, “7.5 lakh cusecs of water would flow through Munduli barrage by 3 pm due to which small or medium floods would occur. The Hirakud Dam authorities will open gates on Tuesday and three lakh cusec of water will be released. However, there is nothing to worry about.”

A small or a medium flood is likely to occur on the Mahanadi basin following the torrential rains in the past three days. However, there is no possibility of a major flood, said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi. “As per the Water Resources Department, eight lakh cusecs of water would flow through the Munduli barrage by Monday evening, thereby triggering small or medium floods in the Mahanadi,” Sethi said.

“Keeping in view this situation, the Government has asked the district Collectors to be prepared for possible flood situations. The administrations of Jajpur, Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada and Khordha districts were alerted and asked to keep vigil on weak embankments and alert people in low lying areas. They have been directed to keep shelters ready to house relocated people in case of any emergency. Every possible step would be taken to protect lives of people,” he said

The Baitarani river touched the danger mark near Akhuapada and eight to nine panchayats in Dhamnagar and Bhandaripokhari in Bhadrak district, might get affected by the flood, he further said.

Flood Control Cell Chief Engineer Purna Chandra Sahu said flood discharge at Khariamal has declined to 3.90 lakh cusecs and at Baramul, the water quantity has declined to 6.22 lakh cusecs.

“At present, 6.83 lakh cusecs of water was flowing thorough Munduli. Therefore, those who are living on embankments have been alerted. Otherwise there is no need to panic. Due to rain in low catchment areas this flood-like situation has emerged. After the flood water passes the Munduli barrage, the gates of Hirakud Dam will be opened,” Sahu added.