Odisha officials from the Water Resources Department have confirmed that there is no imminent flood threat to the Hirakud reservoir, even as a cyclonic circulation over Jharkhand influences regional weather patterns.
Speaking to the media, senior water resources engineer Sagar Mohanty stated that rainfall levels over the upper basins of key rivers such as the Mahanadi and Baitarani remain within safe limits. “The Hirakud reservoir currently stands at just 19% of its capacity, allowing ample buffer for any excess inflow,” Mohanty said.
River systems, including Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, and Jalaka, are reportedly flowing below danger levels. Engineers have ruled out the possibility of severe flooding unless intense rainfall occurs simultaneously in both upper and lower catchment areas. So far, rainfall measured 60 mm in the Mahanadi basin and 30 mm in the Brahmani, well within the seasonal norms.
At the Subarnarekha, six gates of Jharkhand’s Chandil dam have been opened to manage runoff. Officials emphasised that water levels are controlled, and the release is non-hazardous. Most village-level inundation has been linked to prolonged monsoon accumulation rather than rapid flood events.
Nonetheless, the Bhograi block of Balasore district continues to face local distress, with 15 panchayats and over 30 villages still waterlogged. While the Subarnarekha River at Rajghat has receded from a peak of 10.36 metres to 9.17 metres, roadways in areas such as Kusuda and Manunagar remain submerged.
Authorities urge continued vigilance but reaffirm that the current situation does not warrant statewide concern. Weather forecasts predict only moderate rainfall across the impacted basins in the coming days.
