Heavy rains during last three days in the western and southern districts triggered flash floods in some rivers submerging crop lands and damaging road communications. In Sambalpur, Cuttack and Puri towns, Knee- to waist-deep rain waters mixed with drain water entered houses in low-lying areas and flowed on streets, causing immense problems to the residents.
However, there is no apprehension of major floods, said Special Relief Commissioner PK Mohapatra. He said the concerned district Collectors of Kalahandi and Boudh have been asked to distribute relief to the affected and to remain alert for possible floods. According to sources, due to flash floods in rivers Indravati and Ushei, as many as ten villages have been affected in Thuamul Panchyat while communication between Brahmapur and Baliguda has been affected as a bridge over the Ushei was washed away.
Similalry, due to the flash flood in river Tel, the water level of which has been increasing, communication between Sonepur and Balangir has been cut off due to submergence of a culvert and diversion on NH-57. Meanwhile, following incessant rains in the upper catchment areas, the Hirkaud Reservoir level has been on the increase.
To avoid any serious situation, the Hirakud Dam management authorities have opened 19 sluice gates, including 10 on Saturday with the dam discharging around 2.80 lakh cusecs of water downstream in Mahanadi per second. The inflow to the reservoir is on increase. While at 3 pm, the inflow per second was 1.36 lakh cusecs, it has increased to 1.71 lakh cusecs in the evening.
However, there is no cause of concern of any floods in downstream Mahanadi as the rainfall is much behind expected, said SRC sources. On the other hand, the Met office said the low pressure formed over the north-west Bay of Bengal has intensified, signalling heavy to very heavy rainfall in most parts of the State in next 48 hours.
