Bhubaneswar: Heavy rains led to a breach in coffer dam at the Kanupur irrigation project in Basudevpur village under Joda block triggering an alert in downstream areas along the Baitarani River.
According to reports, the incident occurred around 7:30 am today when the temporary earthen coffer dam of the under-construction Kanupur Major Irrigation Project gave way. As a result, six radial gates and two depression sluice gates of the main dam were opened.
Alert sirens were sounded immediately in the dam vicinity, and people were advised to stay away from the area.
Police and local administration personnel have been deployed at the spot to monitor the situation. Following the release of floodwater, concerns of flooding have arisen in the lower reaches of the Baitarani River.
The district administration has issued alerts to residents of low-lying villages and riverbank areas in Joda, Champua, Patna, and Jhumpura blocks, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid approaching the river.
The increased water flow has also raised fears of rising water levels at Anandpur and Akhuapada.
It is learnt that the Kanupur Major Irrigation Project was targeting completion by the end of July 2026. The temporary coffer dam was constructed to facilitate the building of two depression sluice gates and five radial gates. However, due to continuous heavy rainfall, the project is now unlikely to meet its deadline.
A similar breach had occurred last year as well, raising fresh concerns about the timely completion of the remaining construction work.
