[REVISION HISTORY]

Flooding and reservoir management in Odisha

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2026-09-28 04:02 UTC → 2026-09-29 05:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Severe rainfall and flooding continue to impact 13 districts in Odisha, driven by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. As water levels in the Hirakud Dam reached approximately 628 feet, authorities increased the number of open sluice gates from 22 to 28 to manage surging inflows. This discharge is projected to cause the Mahanadi River to peak at 8 lakh cusecs at the Mundali barrage. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expanded his assessment of the crisis, conducting aerial surveys of southern districts including Ganjam, Koraput, and Nabarangpur. During his visit, he inspected relief shelters in Koraput to ensure the provision of food, water, and medical aid for the more than 70,000 people currently housed in nearly 400 relief camps. In addition to rising river levels, heavy rainfall has triggered landslides at Kalinga Ghati, a critical mountain pass connecting Ganjam and Kandhamal, resulting in an indefinite closure of the route. Local administrations in coastal districts, including Kataka, Puri, and Jagatsinghpur, remain on high alert as officials monitor vulnerable embankments and river distributaries. As the situation has evolved, the number of open sluice gates at the Hirakud Dam has increased further to 30 to manage surging inflows. This has intensified the pressure on the Mahanadi River system, prompting high alerts in Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara. The government has now evacuated approximately 140,000 people from low-lying villages and urban wards to relief shelters.

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