Surplus Water Released from Harabhangi Dam; Downstream Belts on High Alert in Rayagada
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, October 28: Floodwater was released from the Harabhangi Reservoir on Wednesday afternoon to manage mounting surplus inflows, prompting the local administration to place riparian villages in Rayagada districts on high alert. Following standard safety protocols, four rounds of warning sirens were sounded at 15-minute intervals across the catchment zone before dam authorities opened Radial Gate Nos. 5 and 6 by 1.00 metre at 1:45 PM.
According to the Junior Engineer of Harabhangi Sub-Division No-I (Adava, Gajapati), the dam was recording an inflow rate of 696.312 cumecs, while the controlled spillway discharge through the twin gates stood at 203.455 cumecs. The reservoir water level was recorded at R.L. 386.30 metres.
The Water Resources and Irrigation Department stated that although the outflow volume is significant, downstream water levels are projected to remain below the danger threshold.
Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure against sudden localized surges, district authorities have stepped up ground monitoring. Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Tahsildars of Padmapur, Ramanaguda, and Gunupur have been directed to track river swell in real time and maintain round-the-clock coordination with field staff. Local administrations have readied cyclone and flood shelters, keeping contingency plans in place to shift residents from low-lying pockets if inflow levels rise further.
Villagers along riverine banks have been strictly advised to stay away from the riverbed, avoid bathing or washing livestock in the channel, and refrain from venturing onto low-level causeways and submerged culverts until discharge stabilizes.
