Ten more sluice gates of the Hirakud dam were opened on Saturday. A total of 19 gates have been opened till now to release flood water, following incessant rains, both upstream and downstream.
Panic gripped residents living downstream of the river Mahanadi in Sambalpur, Sonepur and Boudh with flood scare looming large after opening of the gates.
While 58-mm rainfall has been recorded upstream, 46 mm was registered downstream in the last 24 hours.
As of now, water level in Hirakud dam reservoir stands at 609.39 feet and the inflow into the dam is 1,70,585 cusecs while the outflow is 2,79,461. Sources said besides the sluice gates, 2,700 cusecs of water is being released into Bargarh main canal, 50 cusecs through Sason canal, 20 cusecs through Sambalpur distributary and seven cusecs into Hirakud canal.
Road Breach Disrupts Traffic
Rourkela: Vehicular traffic on the Kalunga-Narendra route was disrupted after a culvert caved in near Rangamati area due to torrential rain on Friday evening. Reports said as heavy rains lashed Lathikata block and nearby areas gushing rainwater resulted in collapse of the culvert at Rangamati in Lathikata block, about 35 km from Rourkela.
A huge breach was created to paralyse vehicular traffic on the route. The road is a direct link to the interior Gurundia block. The Public Works Department has initiated restoration works.
Boudh: Vehicular movement on Balangir-Khurda NH-57 has been hit since Friday at Budbuda near Baunsini in Boudh block of the district after a diversion route at the spot was washed away.
The breach has disrupted connectivity between Sonepur and Boudh and it will take time before it is restored.
Reports said a bridge over a nullah at the spot was under construction and a diversion had been developed for movement of the vehicles. However, incessant downpour over the last 48 hours increased water flow in the nullah which washed away the diversion road.