Indravati Reservoir Opens Gates as Odisha Braces for Cyclone Threat
Nabarangpur: In a precautionary move amid forecasts of heavy rainfall and a potential cyclonic disturbance over the Bay of Bengal, authorities have opened two gates of the Indravati Reservoir in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district.
According to officials, Gate No. 3 and Gate No. 6 of the reservoir have been opened to facilitate controlled water discharge as inflow levels continue to rise.
Water is currently being released at a rate of 133 cusecs to maintain reservoir safety and create additional storage capacity ahead of the expected weather impact.
The reservoir’s water level has reached 640.9 metres, approaching its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 642 metres, prompting authorities to initiate preventive measures.
The decision comes in response to forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has indicated that a weather system over the Bay of Bengal could intensify into a cyclonic storm and move towards the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast.
District authorities and water resources officials are closely monitoring inflows and river conditions downstream.
Residents living along the Indravati River basin have been advised to remain alert as water releases continue.
The Indravati Reservoir, a key component of the region’s irrigation and hydropower infrastructure, plays a crucial role in water management across southern Odisha.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has intensified preparedness measures across vulnerable districts, with disaster response teams on standby and local administrations monitoring the evolving weather situation.
