The threat of flood looms large over the Mahanadi basin following heavy discharge from Hirakud reservoir. The state government has sounded an alert to district collectors concerned to get ready to tackle the situation.
“Around 10 lakh cusecs of water will pass through Mahanadi at Naraj near Cuttack by this evening and water discharge is expected to increase to 11 lakh cusecs,” said state disaster management minister Surya Narayan Patro. He, however, said: “There is no reason to panic. The district administrations have been asked to stay prepared with food stock and other logistics for relief and rescue operations. Leave applications of all government officials posted in the region have been cancelled. Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Forces have been kept ready.”
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today reviewed the flood situation and administrative preparedness, and announced relief to flood-affected people for seven days.
State water resource secretary S.C. Mohapatra said departmental engineers had been instructed to keep round-the-clock vigil on river embankments. “They have been asked to be ready with sand bags at vulnerable points,” he said.
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