Thousands of people are fleeing to safer places in several coastal districts of Orissa as an imminent flood in the Mahanadi is set to engulf a large number of human habitations on Saturday.
A combined surge of water from different tributaries of Mahanadi and the upper catchment areas of the Hirakud reservoir is heading towards coastal districts such as Cuttack, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur. As many 59 gates of the reservoir were opened to discharge excess rain water that heightened the flood fear. At all water gauge sites, levels rose menacingly and threatened to cross the danger level mark.
On Thursday, about 55 sluice gates of the reservoir were kept open. As more water flowed into Mahanadi river system from Chhattisgarh which experienced heavy rains under the influence of a low pressure area during the past 48 hours, four more gates were opened on Friday.
Flood Control Room sources said about 13.66 lakh cusecs of water was now flowing through Khairmal which is likely hit Munduli, which is the entrance point to the coastal districts, near Cuttack during the next 12 hours.
Since September 1, at least eight persons have died due to floods in Mahanadi and Brahmani river systems. As of now, 1, 437 villages in 14 districts of the State have been hit by various degrees of flood.
“The district administrations are fully geared to face any eventuality. Control rooms have been made functional. Patrolling along vulnerable embankments has been strengthened. Steps have been taken to ensure stocking adequate food materials for flood-affected villagers,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said here before leaving for New Delhi to attend the National Integration Council meeting.
A high alert has been sounded in coastal districts facing floods in the Mahanadi river system.
