Mahanadi swells as Hirakud Dam continues water release; 10 Odisha districts on high alert, 8 lakh people affected
Odisha has placed 10 downstream Mahanadi districts on high alert as the Hirakud Dam continues releasing water through 22 gates. Around 8 lakh people have been affected by floods, while 2.69 lakh have been evacuated to relief camps as authorities monitor the swelling river.
Ten districts in Odisha are under high alert due to the continuous water release from the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi river, affecting approximately 8 lakh people, according to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The flood situation is gradually improving, particularly in the Mahanadi delta region, where sustained water discharge has inundated low-lying areas.
The affected districts include Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Angul, Boudh, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, and Nayagarh. Chief Minister Majhi conducted an aerial survey of the districts along with other officials to assess the damage and ensure a comprehensive relief package for the affected families. As of now, 2.69 lakh people have been evacuated and accommodated in around 700 relief camps.
The water level at the Hirakud Dam stands at 625.47 feet, slightly below its full capacity of 630 feet. The water discharge from the Mundali barrage near Cuttack has reduced, offering hope for further improvement in the flood situation. The state government is following a "Zero Casualty" approach to flood management and has deployed various teams for rescue and relief operations.
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