Bhubaneswar: A low or medium-range flood in Mahanadi river system is expected, Engineer-in-Chief of Water Resources Department Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty said Thursday.
“We expect a low or medium-range flood in Mahanadi river system. This night is crucial for us as the peak flood will flow in the river system tonight. So, we have deputed senior officials to camp in different districts to closely monitor the situation at field-level,” he said.
The incessant downpour has increased water levels in the upper catchment area of Mahanadi.
About 8.28 lakh cusec water was flowing on Mahanadi at Munduli Thursday morning, which is expected to rise upto 9.50 lakh cusec in the evening, Mohanty said.
Besides, the water level of Brahmani has started increasing at Jenapur, but it still is flowing under the danger mark, he said.
Meanwhile, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu took stock of the situation and ordered the deployment of 8 NDRF, 13 ODRAF and 62 fire service teams in the districts of namely Bhadrak, Jajpur, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Subarnapur, Boudh, Kandhamal, Balasore, Cuttack, Puri, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara.
The collectors of the above 15 districts were asked to evacuate people from low-lying areas, if required and shift them to safe shelter buildings with light, toilet, water and food arrangements, SRC said.
“Collectors have been asked to submit damage assessment reports once the rain subsides”, Sahu stated.
The SRC also directed Water Resources Department’s engineers to ensure 24×7 patrolling of vulnerable river embankments with the support of local police.
According to sources, more than 3,000 people, including 1,200 from Balasore, have been evacuated as of Wednesday night.
IANS
