Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Nine district collectors were notified by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) today when the Hirakud Dam released the first floodwater of the year. Collectors have been urged to stay vigilant and keep an eye on the situation in Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nayagarh, Angul, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, and Puri. In a letter written to the Collectors by the Office of the SRC, the Department of Water Resources stated that the Hirakud Dam Authority is releasing water through 20 gates today in three phases: seven gates at 9.30 am, 12.30 pm, and the remaining six gates at 2.30 pm.
“Due to the opening of such gates, the Khairmal discharge would be around 4.50 lakh Cusecs on 29th July morning 8.00 AM and Mundali discharge would be around 5.00 lakh Cusecs by 30 July at 11.00 AM,” the letter read.
It has been requested of the Collectors to warn people not to enter Mahanadi from the riverfront. It is not appropriate to for animals to graze near the Mahanadi River. Senior district officers should staff the District Emergency Operation Center. To ensure that nothing unpleasant occurs, the Center needs to keep a tight eye on the situation.
