An official from the Odisha state government confirmed that there is no fear of flooding in the Mahanadi river system. This assurance comes despite the release of water from the Hirakud Dam, which raised the water level at the Mundali barrage in Cuttack district.
Water Release from Hirakud Dam
The authorities of Hirakud Dam, located in Sambalpur district, released the season’s first floodwater downstream through 20 gates last Sunday. The water was expected to pass through the Mundali barrage in Cuttack district on Tuesday night.
Statements from Officials
Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty, the Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) of Water Resources, stated, “There is no threat of flood in the Mahanadi river system following the release of water from Hirakud Dam.” He further added that a maximum of about 5.10 lakh cusecs of water will pass through the Mundali barrage and flow only on the river bed.
Precautionary Measures
Despite the absence of flood threat, the government remains vigilant. A nodal officer has been deputed to Cuttack to monitor the situation. The water inflow into the reservoir has reduced to 1.90 lakh cusecs, while the outflow was 3.50 lakh cusecs, indicating a declining trend in the dam’s water level. Authorities are considering closing some gates to manage the situation better.
Rising Water Levels in Jalaka River
Due to heavy rainfall in northern Odisha, the water level of the Jalaka river has increased. At Mathani in Balasore district, the river was flowing at 6.34 meters, above the warning level of 6 meters but below the danger level of 6.50 meters. The water level has begun to decline.
Government’s Preparedness
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja conducted a virtual meeting with district collectors to review the situation of different rivers. Collectors from Sonepur, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Cuttack, and Puri attended the meeting. The district collectors have prepared multipurpose cyclone shelters and emergency response teams.
IMD Weather Forecast
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts on Wednesday, including Keonjhar, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sambalpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Bargarh, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Koraput, Kandhamal, Sonepur, Boudh, and Jharsuguda.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the current situation of the Mahanadi river system despite the water release from Hirakud Dam?
- a) There is a flood threat
- b) There is no flood threat
- c) The water level is dangerously high
- d) The dam is at full capacity
- Answer: b) There is no flood threat
- How much water was released through the gates of Hirakud Dam?
- a) 10 gates
- b) 15 gates
- c) 20 gates
- d) 25 gates
- Answer: c) 20 gates
- What is the expected maximum flow of water through Mundali barrage?
- a) 4.10 lakh cusecs
- b) 5.10 lakh cusecs
- c) 6.10 lakh cusecs
- d) 7.10 lakh cusecs
- Answer: b) 5.10 lakh cusecs
- Who conducted the virtual meeting to review the river situation?
- a) Chief Minister
- b) Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja
- c) Engineer-in-Chief Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty
- d) District Collector of Cuttack
- Answer: b) Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja
- Which river’s water level has increased due to heavy rainfall in northern Odisha?
- a) Mahanadi
- b) Jalaka
- c) Brahmani
- d) Subarnarekha
- Answer: b) Jalaka
- What is the danger level of the Jalaka river at Mathani in Balasore district?
- a) 6.00 meters
- b) 6.34 meters
- c) 6.50 meters
- d) 7.00 meters
- Answer: c) 6.50 meters