RAIPUR: With water levels rising rapidly following continuous rainfall in Dhamtari district, the Water Resources Department opened two gates of the Gangrel Dam to release nearly 4,000 cusecs of water, prompting the district administration to step up vigil along the Mahanadi river.
According to official data recorded at 8am on September 1, the Gangrel reservoir was at 96.17% of its capacity, with an inflow of 4,342 cusecs. Other major reservoirs in the district were also holding substantial volumes of water, with Murumsilli at 98.49% capacity, Dudhawa at 83.56% and Sondur at 69.25%.
Murumsilli was receiving an inflow of 745 cusecs, while Dudhawa and Sondur recorded inflows of 1,178 cusecs and 167 cusecs, respectively.
Water released from Gangrel flows towards the Rudri Barrage, from where authorities are diverting 2,000 cusecs into the Mahanadi main canal and another 2,000 cusecs into the Mahanadi riverbed.
Dhamtari Collector Abinash Mishra directed revenue officials, tehsildars, block development officers, civic body officials and water resources department personnel to maintain constant vigil in their respective areas.
The administration has also instructed officials to alert residents living along the Mahanadi through village kotwars, panchayat representatives and field staff about changes in water levels.
Relief and rescue teams have been kept ready, while vulnerable low-lying areas have been identified and local officials placed on high alert.
Mishra appealed to people living near rivers and streams to move to safer, higher ground if water levels rise. Residents have also been advised not to attempt crossing flooded roads, culverts or fast-flowing water bodies and to immediately inform local revenue officials about any emergency.
