Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Odisha Alerts Low-Lying Areas as Hirakud Water Enters Mahanadi
Odisha released extra water from the Hirakud Dam into the Mahanadi River.
Officials warned people living in low-lying areas that some places could flood.
Water at Mundali Barrage was expected to rise to about 6.7 lakh cusec.
The flooding is expected to be minor and mostly affect farmland.
Some villages may also see water, but officials said major damage was unlikely.
Heavy rain in the river’s upper catchment increased the water entering the reservoir.
More rain is forecast, so officials are keeping the dam’s water level below its maximum.
Rescue and relief teams are helping people already affected by flooding.
Odisha alerted low-lying areas in the Mahanadi basin after Hirakud Dam released excess water.
Water flow through Mundali Barrage was about 6 lakh cusec at noon and could reach 6.7 lakh cusec.
Low-lying areas in Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Puri may face inundation, mainly affecting agricultural fields.
Authorities opened 19 Hirakud sluice gates while maintaining the reservoir below its full level ahead of forecast rain.
The state said conditions remained under control, though 80,284 people were currently affected and 1,350,306 had been affected across 10 districts during the reported period.
- Who
- The Odisha government, water-resources officials, district administrations and relief agencies issued alerts and conducted rescue operations.
- What
- Excess water released from Hirakud Dam is passing through the Mahanadi River, creating a risk of minor flooding in low-lying areas.
- When
- The latest alert was issued on Wednesday; officials said the minor flood could remain in the river for about 9 to 10 hours.
- Where
- The affected areas include parts of the Mahanadi basin, especially Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts, with water passing through Mundali near Cuttack.
- Why
- Heavy rainfall in the Mahanadi’s upper catchment increased inflow into Hirakud Reservoir, requiring officials to release excess water while preparing for more rain.
- Mundali flow
- About 6 lakh cusec at noon, potentially rising to 6.7 lakh cusec in the evening.
- Hirakud sluice gates
- 19 gates were opened to discharge excess water.
- Hirakud water level
- 623 feet, compared with a full reservoir level of 630 feet.
- Potentially affected districts
- Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Puri may experience low-lying-area inundation.
- Current affected population
- 80,284 people in three districts were reported affected by flooding.
- Reported broader impact
- From August 13 to August 26, 1,350,306 people in 1,895 villages across 10 districts were affected by rain and floods.
- Previous seasonal peak
- A peak flow of 8.88 lakh cusec passed through Mundali on the night of July 30.