Mahanadi River Surge Poses Flood Risk in Odisha’s Delta Regions

The Odisha government has issued warnings regarding potential flooding in low-lying areas of the Mahanadi delta, specifically in the districts of Puri and Jagatsinghpur. The river is currently experiencing elevated water levels, which could lead to inundation in vulnerable regions. Despite these concerns, the state maintains that there is no immediate flood threat across Odisha.

Chandrasekhar Padhi, Engineer-in-Chief of the Water Resources Department, reported that the river’s flow at Munadali, near Cuttack, reached approximately 500,000 cusecs. While this flow is significant, it has shown signs of decreasing, dropping from 626,000 cusecs on Sunday to 458,000 cusecs on Monday. Padhi assured that local authorities have been informed about the situation, enabling them to take necessary precautions.

In the Jagatsinghpur district, approximately 50 families from the Tirtol area have been relocated to safer locations as floodwaters began to encroach upon their villages. The local government is actively monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of residents.

Weather Forecast and Continued Rainfall

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also forecast that heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, is expected to persist in many parts of Odisha until September 13, 2023. According to Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, this weather pattern is influenced by a cyclonic circulation over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent areas.

The IMD anticipates thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds, which may reach speeds of 30-40 km/h in selected areas across northern and southern Odisha. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared for adverse weather conditions as the situation evolves.

As the government continues to monitor the Mahanadi’s water levels and the weather forecast, proactive measures are being taken to ensure the safety of at-risk residents in the affected districts.