Bhubaneswar: Despite persistent monsoon showers across Odisha, the state is not facing a flood situation at present, the Water Resources Department said on Friday, while noting that a flash flood in the Sapua River has surpassed a 50-year record.
Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) of the Water Resources Department said the water level in the Sapua River has started receding after the sudden rise triggered by heavy rainfall. However, floodwaters have affected pockets of Dhenkanal and Athgarh.
The department said the water level at Akhuapada is currently at the alert mark, while the river level at Mathani in Balasore district is nearing the danger mark. Officials are closely monitoring the situation in vulnerable areas.
Providing an update on major reservoirs, the department said all gates of the Hirakud Dam remain closed, indicating that the inflow is being managed without releasing water downstream. Meanwhile, one gate of the Salandi Barrage has been opened to regulate water levels.
Officials estimated that around 70,000 cusecs of water is expected to flow into the Hirakud reservoir on Saturday. At the same time, nearly 3 lakh cusecs of water is likely to reach the Mundali area by evening, prompting authorities to maintain close surveillance over river conditions.
The department also reported that Odisha has received significantly above-normal rainfall during the ongoing monsoon season. Against the normal cumulative rainfall of 391 mm for the period, the state has recorded 454 mm, representing an excess of about 17 per cent.
Among all districts, Balangir has recorded the highest rainfall so far this season, the department added, while assuring that the overall flood situation in the state remains under control despite continued heavy rainfall.
