As the water level in the Hirakud Reservoir continues to rise, authorities have increased the discharge of water through 22 sluice gates, prompting the Odisha government to step up flood preparedness measures across the Mahanadi river basin.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil has issued an advisory to the district collectors of Angul, Boudh, Sambalpur, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Subarnapur, directing them to remain on high alert and take all necessary precautionary measures.

According to the advisory, nearly 8 lakh cusecs of water is currently flowing through the Mahanadi, while the increased discharge from Hirakud is expected to raise water levels in the river and its tributaries. District administrations have been instructed to closely monitor river levels and flood-prone areas, particularly low-lying regions downstream.

The SRC has directed officials to ensure 24-hour patrolling of river embankments, especially during the night, with police support. Authorities have also been asked to maintain close coordination among all concerned departments to enable swift action in the event of any flood-related emergency.

Officials have been instructed to continuously inspect embankments for signs of erosion, leakage or structural weakness and immediately undertake repair work if any threat is detected.

To prevent accidents during the release of reservoir water, public access to riverbeds, sandbars, ghats, low-lying islands and other vulnerable locations has been prohibited. District administrations have also been asked to launch extensive awareness campaigns through public address systems, sirens, electronic and social media, and local cable networks, advising people to avoid bathing, fishing, boating and sand mining in the river.

Special advisories will also be issued for fishermen, boat operators and sand miners wherever required. Livestock owners have been asked not to graze animals in vulnerable riverine areas, while district authorities have been directed to shift residents from highly vulnerable locations to safer places if necessary.

The SRC further instructed all District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) to remain operational round the clock and maintain constant coordination with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) and the Water Resources Department for real-time updates on water releases from Hirakud Reservoir.