The worst fear of a high flood has finally come true – Mahanadi river with all its swelling tributaries on Friday breached several places, causing huge devastations.
Several towns like Sambalpur, Sonepur, Binika, Boudh, Banki and Athmalik were disconnected from rest part of the state while people in Cuttack, Choudwar, Kendrapara, Salipur, Jagatsinghpur spent breathless moments as swelling Mahanadi and Kathajuri rivers crossed their danger marks.
Vast stretches of agricultural land and human habitations were inundated. At least three people were washed away in Sonepur area, while nearly over one lakh people were reportedly marooned.
Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams were sent to Sambalpur and Kendrapara to carry out rescue operations. At least 190 motor-boats were pressed into service to evacuate people from marooned area to safer places.
The water level in Hirakud reservoir was recorded at 628.83 feet. While 11.10 lakh cusec of water was entering into the reservoir, the outflow was maintained at 9.73 lakh cusec. The flood situation is likely to become worse on Saturday when at least 13 lakh cusec of water will pass through the river.
Alarmed over the rise of the river, chief minister Naveen Patnaik, said district administrations were geared up to meet any eventuality.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. District administrations are fully geared up to meet any eventuality. Patrolling of embankments is being done regularly,” said the chief minister.
Meanwhile senior BJP leader and former water resources minister Bijoy Mohapatra and eminent water management expert Ranjan Panda alleged that the state was heading for a deluge due to mismanagement of water level in Hirakud reservoir.