Odisha flood fury: Breaches in Brahmani, Mahanadi systems

The apprehension of high floods in different rivers of Odisha proved authentic on Sunday as at least 32 breaches occurred in major river systems in the state. Majority of the breaches were reported in the Brahmani river system in Jajpur district.

The high flood in Odisha, according to official sources, had by Sunday evening destroyed at least 8 lakh hectares of farmland and left as many as 16 people dead.

According to Jyotirmaya Rath, the chief engineer of the state water resources department, as many as 24 breaches happened in the Brahmani river system, while Mahanadi system reported two. The remaining breaches occurred in Kharasrota, Jalaka and Baitarani river systems.

According to state Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena, Bari and Dasarath block areas in Jajpur district were severely hit with thousands of hectares of standing crop getting washed away in the gushing floods of Brahmani, Baitarani and Kharasrotha rivers.

The SRC said a little over 10 lakh cusecs of water was flowing in the Mahanadi river system and submergence of low-lying areas in coastal Odisha districts like Kendrapara, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda and Puri were apprehended.

According to the SRC, the flood situation in three rivers- Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga and Baitarini is improving and the water level is now below the danger mark. Three gates of Rengali dam have also been closed today.

As many as 18 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been engaged in the rescue and relief operations. At least 50,000 marooned people have been evacuated by these three wings.

Water resources secretary Anu Garg said instructions were given to the collectors of flood –prone districts prompt mobilization of man, material and machinery placed at their disposal to the affected pockets or areas likely to be hit by the flood.

As many as 17 officers have reached Bari block which remained cut-off since Saturday evening. Relief and rescue operations were intensified in the region.

Till 6 PM on Sunday, the water level at the upper catchment and lower catchment areas at Naraj Barrage on the Mahanadi was reported at 26 metre and 24.2 metre respectively, while at Mundali barrage on the same river it was 94.90 metre and 92.60 metre, respectively.

According to water department sources, 4,86,471 cusec water was being released through Naraj Barrage while 9,79,715 cusec water is being discharged through Mundali Barrage.

Over 8.02 lakh cusec water is entering Hirakud dam and more than 7.6 lakh cusecs of water is being discharged through its 46 of the 64 sluice gates.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) on Saturday issued a red bulletin for Chhattisgarh. According to the red bulletin, Mahanadi was flowing above its danger level at Surajgarh Kalma breaking all previous records.