While the low-pressure area has moved away to Chhattisgarh, the water levels of several rivers in Odisha are still rising, officials reported on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rain for the region.
The rivers with rising water levels include the Mahanadi, Baitarani, Jalaka, and Budhabalang. The Baitarani River has already crossed its warning level, and the Central Water Commission (CWC) has classified the water level of the river at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district as “severe.”
The Subarnarekha was flowing 4 metres below the danger mark, they said.
According to the Water Resources Department’s Engineer-in-Chief, Chandrasekhar Padhi, there is no major flood situation, with only a minor flood reported at the Baitarani river.
The water levels of both Jalaka and Budhabalanga rivers in Balasore district are also rising, the CWC statement said.
Meanwhile, Padhi said the Hirakud reservoir was at 626.23 feet, close to its full capacity of 630 feet, and floodwater is being released through 16 sluice gates to manage the rising levels. The districts downstream of the Mahanadi have been notified regarding the situation, he said.
Heavy rainfall over the past three days led to this situation. Besides the low-pressure area, an active monsoon trough has also caused the widespread rainfall with Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Balangir being the most affected areas, officials said.
The IMD has predicted that heavy rain and thunderstorms with lightning are likely in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur districts until Friday morning, they added.
