Summary:
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government on Wednesday deployed rescue teams as the water level in the Mahanadi river continued to swell, flooding some low-lying areas. The patrolling teams have been engaged in inspection of weak and vulnerable river embankments. "We have already deployed the personnel of the ODRAF, the NDRF and the fire service for immediate rescue operation in the districts of Puri, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Bhadrak. Adequate materials like bamboo, sand bags and others are stored in vulnerable places, sources in the Water Resources Department said.The authorities of Balimela reservoir in Malkangiri have also opened two of its 10 shutters, following incessant rains. Multipurpose shelters are kept ready for any emergency and the collectors have been told to evacuate people from low-lying areas if required, the SRC said.The Water Resource Department secretary, P K Jena, said while 4,08,320 cusecs of water was being released from the Hirakud dam through 25 sluice gates, there was no possibility of opening more gates even if the inflow to the reservoir reaches 5.7 lakh cusecs, he said.Around eight lakh cusecs of water is likely to pass through Mundali near Cuttack city tonight..