Odisha floods: 4 pilgrims rescued in Cuttack

The India Meteorological Department said there would be no let-up in the flood situation as a fresh low pressure area is likely to form over Northwest Bay of Bengal and cause more rain

Published on: Aug 16, 2022, 12:52:31 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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Four pilgrims returning home from Puri’s Jagannath Temple were rescued after their car was caught in floodwaters in Cuttack on Monday night even as water released from the Hirakud Dam into the Mahanadi river caused breaches in embankments and led to flooding at separate places in Odisha.

Rainfall was likely to continue in Odisha. (Hindustan Times (Representative))

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik was expected to review the flood situation on Tuesday with officials including the special relief commissioner. The release of water from the dam is likely to be discussed. Eight sluice gates of the dam were closed on Monday to prevent any large-scale flooding downstream.

The water levels in the Mahanadi crossed the danger mark of 97.25 feet at Mundali in Cuttack while officials were asked to take steps to prevent breaches considering heavy inflow of water from the Baitarani.

The water levels of Baitarani crossed the danger mark at Akhuapada, Ballabhighat and Dasarathpur. Floodwater entered the low-lying areas in Jajpur and Dasarathpur blocks following breaches in the river embankments.

Water was flowing three feet above a bridge located on Mallikapur-Pallasahi road. The Kani river breached embankments at seven places in Kantapada, inundating low-lying areas.

The India Meteorological Department said there would be no let-up in the flood situation as a fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over Northwest Bay of Bengal on Friday. Under its influence, fairly widespread/widespread light/moderate rainfall is likely to begin in coastal Odisha from Thursday.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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