Bhubaneswar, August 28, 2018: The State Government has asked the district Collectors of Mahanadi river system to remain alert as the Hirakud dam would open as many as 25 sluice gates on Tuesday evening to release about 4 lakh cusec of flood water.
As per information, at least 25 gates of Hirakud Dam will be opened by 5-6 pm today. About 8 lakh cusec of water will flow in the Mahanadi at Mundali by Thursday morning.
Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi has asked the Collectors in Mahanadi system to remain alert and take precautionary action as Hirakud dam would open 25 gates before 5- 6 pm today and release about 4 lakh cusec of flood water.
He has alerted the Collectors of Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nayagarh, Angul, Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khurda and Jajpur.
This may cause flood situation in different districts coming under Mahanadi river system.
Keeping this in view, he has asked the collectors to draw up an emergency plan to meet any eventuality and alert all field functionaries and depute mobile teams for close watch on vulnerable / Week river and canal embankments.
He has also asked them to check and ensure readiness of power boats/ country boats, identify villages/ habitations likely to be inundated, if any, and arrange evacuation of the vulnerable population.
Multipurpose Flood/ Cyclone Shelters in the area likely to be affected may be visited by the field level officials and kept in readiness including lighting and sanitation arrangement.
He has asked them to ensure that evacuated people are properly sheltered and cooked food; safe drinking water and health facility are made available to them.
Ensure functioning of control room round the clock. Satellite phones should be test operated and kept in readiness.
