No Flood Threat in Odisha Rivers, Hirakud Operations Under Control: Water Resources Dept

Bhubaneswar, Sept 6 — Odisha’s Water Resources Department has confirmed that there is no immediate flood threat across the state’s major rivers, offering relief amid seasonal rainfall concerns.

Engineer-in-Chief Chandra Sekhar Padhi stated that rivers such as Budhabalanga and Baitarani are flowing below danger levels, while the Jalaka river—currently above the warning mark—is steadily receding.

The department attributes the stable conditions to minimal rainfall forecasts over the next week. “We expect further improvement in river levels due to the absence of significant precipitation,” Padhi said.

At the Hirakud reservoir, a critical flood control point, water levels stood at 626.35 feet as of 9 AM today.

In response to inflow dynamics, authorities have closed four gates while keeping 20 open to manage controlled discharge. The reservoir is receiving 3.85 lakh cusecs and releasing 4.24 lakh cusecs.

Officials also project that the Mundali barrage will receive approximately 5.50 lakh cusecs by 6 PM tomorrow. The situation is being closely monitored, and no emergency alerts have been issued.

This update comes as a reassurance to residents and farmers in flood-prone districts, with the state’s infrastructure and forecasting systems functioning effectively.