Heavy rainfall during the last 24 hours have badly affected normal life in most parts of Odisha. Rainfall is due to the influence of a low pressure over the Bay of Bengal.
The intermittent showers since Wednesday disrupted normal life in several parts of the State leaving many roads and streets in Malkangiri, Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Koraput, Jagatsinghpur, and other places submerged and flooded with drain water.
Met office forecast heavy rains in many places for the next 24 hours with lower Mahanadi catchment areas likely to receive more rainfall. During past 24 hrs the western Odisha town, Sambalpur has recorded the highest rainfall of 240 mm, while Hirakud received 169 mm rainfall.
The Odisha government has assured the people that there is no threat of flood in the lower catchment areas of Mahanadi due to the release of water from Hirakud dam today.
Briefing media persons yesterday in Bhubaneswar, Water Resources secretary Pradeep Jena said as the water level in the dam is slowly rising in view of water flow from the upper catchments of Mahanadi, the government has decided to release water through six or 10 sluice gates any time after 10 AM today.
However, he said the people living near the river and its tributary areas are advised to remain on alert as there will be a rise in the water level.
photo -sambad