The 11 sluice gates of Mandira dam near Kansbahal of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) were opened on Saturday following huge inflow of water into river Sankh.
Around 14 villages at the upstream areas of the river are facing the threat of being submerged.
According to reports, heavy rain in the catchment areas of Chhattisgarh has been resulting in rise of water level of river Sankh. On Friday evening, water level of the dam at Rajgangpur block rose to 668.6 feet against the dam’s maximum capacity of 690 feet.
Dam authorities on Friday evening opened nine sluice gates to evacuate excess water. However, as the river continues to be in spate all gates were opened at about 8.45 am on Saturday after water level reached the red mark.
RSP sources said dam authorities are maintaining the water level at 686.2 feet. Reports reaching here from the upstream areas of Sankh claimed that Samleimunda, Dalppur, Bankibahal, Laxmiposh, Kukurmunda, Dalki, Sarumahal, Kachlu, Jharbeda, Badhulata, Hatimunda, Tarkera, Sadhumunda and Pandrisila areas in Kutra and Kuanrmunda blocks of Sundargarh district were getting submerged. Panicked villagers were moving to safer areas and also taking shelter in schools.
Release of water from the dam triggered rise in water level in river Brahmani as Sankh merges with Brahmani at Vedvyas of Rourkela.
The flooding Brahmani comes as a reminiscent of the flash flood in 2011 when buildings along the banks of Brahmani near Panposh and downstream areas remained submerged for two days.
Meanwhile, water level of river Ib also rose near Sundargarh town due to heavy rain in Chhattisgarh.
Nodal officer of Water Resources Department Saroj Patnaik said they were maintaining an eye over the situation.
