Bhubaneswar: The flood situation along the Subarnarekha River is showing significant improvement as the water level at Rajghat has receded to 10.7 meters, said Chandra Sekhar Padhi, Engineer-in-Chief of the State Water Resources Department, on Tuesday.
The Engineer-in-Chief stated that the water level is expected to drop below the danger mark by this evening, with a further decline to the warning level anticipated by midnight or early Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, Padhi noted that the absence of rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Subarnarekha River on Monday is a positive development. “No rain in the catchment area is a good sign and has helped in reducing the water level,” he said.
The water levels at other vulnerable points such as Jamsholaghat and Akhuapada are also receding steadily, indicating a general improvement in the flood situation. The water at Akhuapada has already dropped below the danger mark, further easing concerns in the region. Rehabilitation work to repair flood-affected areas is scheduled to commence from Wednesday.
While some rainfall was recorded on Monday in the upper catchments of the Vamsadhara, Nagavali, and Kolab rivers, no rain was reported in the catchments of major rivers including the Budhabalanga, Baitarani, Upper and Lower Brahmani, Upper and Lower Mahanadi, and the Rushikulya basin.
Padhi added that heavy rainfall was observed in certain areas of the Vamsadhara and Nagavali basins, but water levels in most rivers remain below the danger threshold. Apart from Rajghat, the Subarnarekha River’s water levels in other monitored locations are steadily decreasing.
At the Hirakud Dam reservoir, officials had been releasing water through 12 gates to manage excess inflow. However, with the recent receding of water levels, four gates have now been closed, and water is being discharged through eight gates.
