Odisha CM asks officials to remain alert for flood

Bhubaneswar, Aug 29 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday directed the officials to remain prepared for a possible flood on Mahanadi river system.

At a review meeting, the Chief Minister directed the officials to be on alert and remain prepared for the possible flood with the opening of 25 gates of the Hirakud dam on Tuesday evening.

Water Resources secretary P.K. Jena said the gates of Hirakud reservoir were opened with the inflow of flood water from Chhattisgarh.

He said the dam authorities will not open more than 25 gates as the inflow of water to the Hirakud reservoir from Chhattisgarh has substantially come down.

Meanwhile, the state government said the flood situation is under control.

"The flood situation is under control. We are closely monitoring the water level at Khairmal, Barmul and Mundali barrages. About 6 lakh cusecs of water is passing through the Mundali barrage which will increase to 8.5 lakh cusecs of water per second tonight," said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi.

He said the 11 district collectors of the Mahanadi river system have been put on alert while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been kept in readiness.