As flood threat looms large over several districts in Odisha with water level of Mahanadi river continuing to rise following incessant rain in the last couple of days, Odisha Government today deputed six senior IAS officials to monitor situation in six districts. They are Hemant Sharma for Kendrapada, DK Singh for Cuttack, Vishal Dev for Balasore, BP Sethi for Badhrak, VV Yadav fo Jajpur and Satyabrata Sahu for Jagatsinghpur district. Hirakud dam have opened total 44 sluice gates to discharge floodwater. Mainly districts on Mahanadi river basin including Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Boudh, Nayagarh and Sonepur are expected to be hit by flood. Around 10 lakh cusec floodwater released from the reservoir to Mahanadi river will reach Mundali barrage by 5 AM tomorrow. Besides, Baitarani river is flowing above the danger level at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district. Weak embankments have been kept under close watch. Night patrolling is being done by engineers of Water Resources Department.
