Bhubaneswar: Incessant rain, triggered by a low-pressure area, created a flood-like situation in some parts of Odisha on Sunday, leading to a rise in water levels in major rivers in the state.
"With the water level at Hirakud Dam rising due to heavy rain in upper catchments of Mahanadi river, 20 of 64 sluice gates were opened to release excess water from the reservoir," a senior official said.
"While excess water was being discharged through 12 gates at Hirakud dam till Saturday, eight more were opened on Sunday," he said.
Reportedly, the water level at the dam now stood at 625.58 feet as against 630 feet capacity of the reservoir and the inflow at Hirakud was 2,97,431 cusec while outflow was 3,41,903 cusec.
Water in Mahanadi and some other rivers like Brahmani and Baitarani rose considerably as heavy rain pounded districts such as Sambalpur, Angul, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Bolangir, Subarnapur and Koraput.
"However, the water levels in all major rivers in the state are still below the danger marks and there is "no threat" of any major flood," the official said.
"The water level of Mahanadi river at Naraj in Cuttack stood at 25.98 metres as against the danger mark of 26.41 metres while the water level of Baitarani river was at 17.50 metre at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district, compared to danger mark of 17.83 metres," he said.
Following torrential rain, several low-lying areas in Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Angul districts were inundated, affecting transportation and communication.
"The intensity of rainfall in the state is now subsiding gradually as the low-pressure area over north Odisha has moved away north-westwards," said director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, H R Biswas.
"Heavy rainfall is unlikely for the next two to three days across the state. However, light to moderate rain and thundershowers may continue at many places till Monday and at a few places thereafter," Biswas added.
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