Odisha Prepares for Heavy Rainfall: Chief Secretary Reviews Water Levels and Emergency Measures

Bhubaneswar: In a crucial meeting this afternoon, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja reviewed the status of water levels in various river basins and reservoirs, including the Hirakud reservoir, and discussed the preparedness and precautionary measures of various departments and districts due to low pressure-induced rainfall across the state.

The review meeting saw the participation of Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary of Water Resources Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary Revenue, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department and Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department Principal Secretary Sushil Kumar Lohani, and Health and Family Welfare Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shalini Pandit. Water Resources Department Chief Engineer Bhakaranjan Mohanty also prominently attended the meeting.

District Magistrates from Subarnapur, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Puri, and Cuttack joined the meeting through video conferencing.

The meeting reviewed the water storage capacity and current water level status of large and medium water reservoirs, including Hirakud and Rengali reservoirs. Water Resources ACS Anu Garg stated that the release of water during the rainy season is based on a rule curve followed by the department, considering water inflow at the upper catchment of river basins and the capacity of water flow in rivers.

Currently, 20 out of 98 sluice gates at Hirakud Reservoir have been opened. The reservoir’s water storage capacity is 630.00 feet, with the current water level at 614.08 feet. Similarly, the water storage capacity of Rengali is 123.50 meters, with the current water level at 111.32 meters.

The Chief Engineer of Water Resources presented the water level status of various reservoirs and the water flow status in rivers. Monitoring of water flow in all large and medium reservoirs and rivers has been intensified as a precautionary measure. While the water flow in the Jalka River was high yesterday, it has now fallen below the danger mark. About 4.42 lakh cusecs of water is currently flowing at Mundali in the Mahanadi River, and the water inflow to the Hirakud and Rengali reservoirs is low. However, other reservoirs have seen increased water levels due to heavy rains.

Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu highlighted that standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place to manage potential natural calamities such as floods and cyclones. Meetings have been held at state and district levels to prepare for such events. The SRC advised District Magistrates to ensure public awareness and safety measures, including preventing children and livestock from entering rivers and avoiding risky behavior such as taking selfies at vulnerable points.

In view of potential heavy rainfall, the SRC has instructed the Puri District Collector to monitor the ferrying of passengers by boats in Chilika Lake and take necessary precautions. District officials have been advised not to take leave to ensure readiness for emergency response.

District officials reported that recent rainfall has benefited farming, which was previously deficient in several districts. They assured that precautionary measures are in place for expected heavy rainfall, with flood and cyclone shelters being monitored and emergency response teams ready for deployment.

Chief Secretary Ahuja emphasized Odisha’s reputation in disaster management, urging officials to enhance existing SOPs and coordinate efforts across departments and district levels to mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall. He directed officials to take all necessary steps to prevent loss of life and ensure immediate repairs of damaged infrastructure, including government buildings, school buildings, roads, and culverts.

The Health Department assured readiness with chief district medical officers and teams in place, along with necessary supplies like ORS, bleaching powder, anti-venom, ambulances, and rapid action teams.