Sambalpur, Jul 7: The Hirakud Dam will open its gates on July 9 to release the first floodwaters of the 2026 monsoon season into the Mahanadi River, prompting authorities to issue alerts in vulnerable riverine areas across Odisha.
The announcement has raised concerns among residents of low-lying villages, many of whom fear flooding of homes, agricultural fields and roads as water levels continue to rise following a week of heavy rainfall.
Continuous rain across Odisha has significantly increased the water level in the Mahanadi, its tributaries and the Baitarani River. The water level at the Hirakud reservoir currently stands at 604 feet, and officials have said that floodwater will be released once it reaches 607 feet to regulate the heavy inflow and maintain the reservoir's safety.
The decision comes as a low-pressure system continues to influence the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi. Although the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a gradual reduction in rainfall across Odisha from Tuesday, moderate to heavy rainfall is still expected in the upper catchment, which could further increase river inflows.
Meanwhile, the Baitarani River has already crossed the danger level at Akhuapada, raising the possibility of localized flooding in Bhadrak, Jajpur and Balasore districts. Low-lying areas along the Mahanadi and its distributaries are also being closely monitored.
Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, Dilip Rout, said interior districts have received an average of 2 to 3 cm of rainfall per day over the past week, contributing to the rising river levels. He noted that the situation developed mainly due to heavier rainfall in interior Odisha compared to the upper Mahanadi catchment.
Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty said the low-pressure system is expected to weaken from today. However, she cautioned that rainfall may temporarily intensify over the upper Mahanadi basin before gradually subsiding.
The state government has directed district administrations to remain on high alert. Rescue teams have been kept on standby, while awareness campaigns are being conducted in riverbank villages to prepare residents for any emergency.
Farmers have also been advised to avoid working in low-lying agricultural fields, as standing paddy and other crops could be affected if floodwaters spread into farmlands.
In several vulnerable villages, residents have already started moving essential belongings to safer locations, recalling flood situations experienced during previous monsoon seasons.
Authorities have urged people living in low-lying and riverside areas to remain vigilant over the next 48 to 72 hours, follow official advisories, and cooperate with local administrations as the state's first floodwater release of the season gets underway.
