The Odisha government which was apprehensive of a “medium flood” in Mahanadi delta area on Tuesday revised its reading of…
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The Odisha government which was apprehensive of a “medium flood” in Mahanadi delta area on Tuesday revised its reading of the situation and said there is no threat of flood in Mahanadi and Baitarani as the water level has significantly receded.
On Monday Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said that a medium flood is likely to take place. His statement did raise eyebrows as eight lakh cusecs were to flow down Mundali while it can carry 11 lakh cusecs without flooding the coastal belt.
On Tuesday, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi said there has been a marked decrease in the volume of floodwater discharged through Mundali barrage in Cuttack district. He said the discharge of water from Munduli barrage has come down from nearly 6.9 lakh cusecs water at 9.30 PM last night to 4,47,600 cusecs by 9 am this morning.
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The floodwater released from Hirakud Dam at around 12 PM on Tuesday would take at least 36 hours to reach Mundali and there is no threat of floods. Hirakud dam Chief Engineer P C Sahu said around two lakh cusecs of water would be released through 15 sluice gates of the dam by this night to bring the water level down from around 618 ft now to 612 feet.
The fact that there was very little rain over the last 24 hours helped ease the situation, claimed officials here.
The CM who reviewed the possible flood situation in the catchment districts of Mahanadi, at Sambalpur instructed the Collectors to remain alert. Talking to the media persons after the review meeting at Sambalpur, the CM said that he had instructed the officials to submit the report within 24 hours. “The flood victims will be compensated adequately,” said the chief minister.
A report from Jajpur district said water level in major rivers began dropping on Tuesday. Flood water started receding in Baitarani and Brahmani rivers flowing across the district. The district administration heaved a sigh of relief as flood situation was averted with the decrease in water in both the major rivers.
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