Bhubaneswar, 24 August (H.S.) Odisha is on alert after water levels in several major rivers, including the Subarnarekha and Baitarani, surged beyond danger marks on Sunday, raising fears of possible flooding in the coming days.

Chandrashekhar Padhy, Engineer-in-Chief of the Water Resources Department, said the sudden rise is due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment regions. The Baitarani basin, covering parts of Keonjhar and Jharkhand, recorded 42.57 mm of rain in the past 24 hours, while the Upper Brahmani and Hirakud catchments received 35 mm and 31 mm respectively. “With this volume of inflow, the likelihood of floods in the Subarnarekha and Baitarani rivers is very high,” he warned.

The Baitarani river has already breached the danger mark at Akhuapada, flowing at 18.61 meters against the threshold of 18.33 meters. Similarly, the Subarnarekha at Rajghat stood at 10.85 meters compared to the danger mark of 10.36 meters. Officials further reported rising water levels in the Bansadhara and Budhabalanga rivers, signaling a worsening situation.

To manage excess inflows, 12 sluice gates of the Hirakud reservoir have been opened. Authorities, however, clarified that there is currently no major flood threat in the Mahanadi river system.

The state administration is maintaining strict vigilance as downstream districts brace for possible inundation. Control rooms have been activated, and officials are monitoring vulnerable embankments. Preparations are also underway for evacuation and relief measures in low-lying areas should the situation escalate.

With monsoon rains continuing in upstream states, authorities have urged residents along riverbanks to remain cautious and follow safety advisories.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda