Odisha SRC directs Collectors to stay alert, police to guard submerged roads

Bhubaneswar: Odisha SRC has directed the Collectors to stay alert and has said that police shall guard submerged roads and not allow anyone to cross such roads.

There is no flood threat in Odisha the SRC added after Hirakud Dam on Friday released excess water as there is heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas. The season’s flood water is being released from Hirakud Dam through twenty gates today.

Minister, Revenue and District Magistrate reviewed the depression situation with Special Relief Commissioner. SRC reviewed the situation with the Collectors.

SRC has directed Collectors to take following action immediately:
Strictly prohibit movement of vehicles in submerged roads/ bridges till water recedes
Local police along with the local officers must be at site to regulate traffic
People of low lying villages shall be evacuated if required
Arrange cooked food for evacuated people
Other District Collectors are also instructed to take similar kind of action depending upon the situation
The situation to be closely monitored
Currently, the flood water in Hirakud is being discharged through 20 gates of the reservoir. The authorities informed that, the decision regarding the opening of some gates of the Hirakud Dam had been taken on Friday.

The Hirakud Dam in Odisha’s Sambalpur district released the season’s flood water on July 28, informed the officials. The sluice gates of the dam were opened after the ceremonial puja which was held at 8 am. A total of 20 sluice gates were opened in a phase wise manner.