Flood Update I from
Water
Initiatives Odisha
9th September 2011
Dear co-sailors,
Fifteen years ago, Water Initiatives Odisha(WIO) had
started the habit of compiling Drought and Flood Updates for the state of
Odisha and we used to share these among people, policy makers, media,
academicians and other concerned. That
time we did it through print papers and distributed photocopied updates. After continuing the effort for a few years,
we could not keep up with the pace of the droughts, floods and disasters and
stopped the effort a decade back.
However, we kept on sending occasional updates from time to time via the
internet and also through our print publications. Our friends and well-wishers have been asking
us to start it again and we have too realised that the need for regular updates
has become more vital than ever before with droughts, floods and other disasters
assuming new and gigantic proportions under new conditions of rapid
industrialization and climate change. We
are thus resuming the effort. On 27th
of August we brought out the First Drought Update of this year and now this
update comes on Floods.
The format would be the same: a simple compilation of
news and views on floods and related issues sourced from newspapers, research
reports, field studies and all other sources we can have access to. We keep it simple also to reach out to
maximum number of people possible.
At the moment, it’s occasional and we may come up with
these updates as and when we can, given our limited manpower and resources. However, with your inputs and support, we are
sure; we shall be able to ensure regular flow of this update.
We
request you to send in your reports of activities, your views; and any other
interesting and relevant article, books, photographs, and anything that you
feel we should cover in this Update. It’s
YOU who is the most important FUEL of this effort.
Look forward to listen from you and your continued
support.
Thanks and regards,
Ranjan
Panda
Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha
==================
LEAD
Hirakud
dam fails in managing floods, yet again!
The flood situation in river Mahanadi, especially due to
mismanagement of the Hirakud dam, has once again called for urgent attention of
the policy planners. While we write this
update at the afternoon hours of 9th September 2011, television
channels are broadcasting that 59 out of the 64 gates of the dam have been
opened to release 9,74,373 cusecs of water.
10, 37,000 cusec of water is entering into the reservoir. Almost all the districts downstream have been
hugely impacted by this. In districts
like Sambalpur, areas which had not seen floods even in 2008, have been
inundated with flood waters. “The
dam management authority kept watching for this situation to come even as the
water in the reservoir kept increasing steadily from July 20”, alleges Water
Initiatives Odisha.
Analysing the reservoir level, one would find out that it
was maintained at about 595 feet for the month of July but started steadily
increasing from July 20 when it touched 596.85.
While on July 24 it touched 601.75, by August 1, it reached 607.27. Then it continued to increase and from August
9 it went above 620 level and as reported currently it’s about 628.5.
Analysing water storage on various dates would show how the
dam management is responsible for the current situation which has virtually
forced it to release huge amount of flood water within the last two days. Actually, the dam authorities have been
forced to open as many as 49 gates in 48 hours!! As per the ‘rule curve’
(as sourced from various sources), while on August 1st the recommended minimum water
level should have been 590 feet, it was in reality kept at as high as 607.27. Similarly, while on August 13, the
recommended min water level should have been 606 feet, the dam authorities kept
it at 613.58. And this was the same for
all the days. With the objective of
keeping the flood cushioning space in the reservoir so that it does not reach
the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 630 by end of monsoon, i.e. 1st week of
October, the water should have been kept at much minimum level than where it
was kept. However, the reservoir was
holding a water reserve level more than 624 on all dates from 1st to 5th
September; which than increased to 625.65 on 6th, 626.12 on 7th, and 626.89 on
8th. The dam authorities may
have a maximum limit prescription but keeping in mind the situations that was emerging
they should have kept the reservoir at the minimum prescribed levels.
Now the government puts the responsibility of the flood on
the heavy rain at the upper catchment and release of water from Chhattisgarh. However, daily and weekly predictions by the
IMD were continuously warning of heavy spells.
It proves that the dam management authority has not been following a
co-ordinated approach with Chhattisgarh and IMD. We at WIO have demanded that the govt. of
Odisha establishes proper communication and clearly defined co-ordinated action
with Chhatisgarh on management and planning of Mahanadi River. The govt. must, without any further delay,
enter into a legally binding ‘water management and basin planning treaty’ that
will help in management of Mahanadi water throughout the year.
(Source: WIO Team, 9th September 2011)
=====================
History
Repeats in Mahanadi: What WIO said on 2008 floods
FLOODS IN ORISSA: DAMS and CLIMAE CHANGE to blame
With the gradual
easing of the unprecedented flood situation, the blame game has peaked. Along
with the unfolding of tragedies and devastations of the flood, many critical
aspects relating to management of the Hirakud reservoir has come out of closet.
In the immediate aftermath of the flood, the dam managers have come in for
severe criticism for not following the rule curve and keeping a very high level
of water in the reservoir. While there is truth in that, the fact is that
factors like climate change and underlining shift in priorities of the
reservoir has grossly limited the scope of the reservoir in mitigating high
flood, especially during the later parts of the monsoon. And the ‘Rule curve’
that is being followed since 1988 has become obsolete and dangerous in the
present day context.
Source: WIO Advocacy Update III – on Orissa
Floods and Hirakud, dated 24th September 2008
==============
LATEST NEWS
on 09.09.2011
09/09/2011
Flood threat: 3,000 evacuated in Orissa
Bhubaneswar:
About 3,000 people were evacuated from the low-lying areas of Orissa after a
huge discharge of water from the Hirakud Dam triggered fears of floods in 11 of
the state's 30 districts, an official said Friday.
According
to reports, at least 1,600 people were moved from low-lying areas to safer
places in Boudh district, an official of the state flood control room here told
IANS.
About
500 people in Jharsuguda and 300 people in Subarnapur were evacuated from the
low-lying areas of these districts. Some were evacuated Thursday night, others
early Friday, he said.
Due
to heavy rains in the upper catchment areas in the past several days, including
in Chhattisgarh, a huge quantity of water is entering the Hirakud reservoir on
the river Mahanadi in Sambalpur district, about 350 km from here.
As
a result, the dam authorities had to release the excess water by opening 53 of
its 64 sluice gates Thursday.
Orissa: Rivers flowing danger mark in Jagatsinghpur
Report by Kahnu Nanda; Jagatsinghpur: There appears to be no
respite from rains and sever water logging in low line areas then it has added
to the woes of people flood. Official reports reveal that all the major rivers
and its tributaries are flowing above danger mark at various places in
Jagatsinghpur district till report filed on Friday evening.
Following heavy rains
due to low pressure occurred in Bay of Bengal major flood is proceeding in
river Mahanadi as result all the rivers flowing in Jagatsinghpur district as
Devi, Beluakhai, Govari, Hansua and Mahanadi have continued flash floods and
few river side villages have inundated. According to district administration
instruction those living in low line areas have been shifted to the safer
places and cyclone shelters.
Source said that the
villages of Deriki, Nandigram, Dahipal, Tirana, Jamugaon Bhatana, and Majhipada
under Naugaon block , Sampur, Andhari, Japa, Ambiki, Pallikanta, Gadaharishpur
in Erasama block, Tarpur, Tarasahi, Naharana , Kalio, Thailo, Apandara, Sainto
of Balikuda block, are in trouble while flood water in river Devi is flowing
danger mark, irrigation department sources said in Machhagaon river Devi is
flowing 13.80 feet against the danger level of 13 feet and in Alipingala river
Devi is too flowing danger level 12 meter against the danger level 11.76 meter.
However villagers of
Krishnanandapur, Kukurkhia, Govardhanpur, Badabalikani under Tirtol block are
spending sleepless night past two days when water flow in river Mahanadi is
receding, district emergency department sources said Mahanadi is swelling red
mark 24 feet against the danger level
22.75 feet at Sankheswar.
The flood situation
in Daleighai showed signs of increasing flood
water, the water flow at Daleighai is 57.50 feet when danger mark at
this vulnerable point is 57 feet senior irrigation department officials were
visited Daleighai on Friday and take the stock of the situation, said B B Jena,
Executive engineer, irrigation department Jagatsinghpur.
Meanwhile collector N
C Jena visited many flood affected areas and made arrangements for stock of
relief materials indifferent blocks, senior civil officials have been deputed
in each block to look after the flood situation, 24 hours patrolling have
pressed in to service in several weak points have been detected in river
embankments , at least 2100 quintal of rice, 200 quintal of flattened rice,
132004 liters kerosene, country boats
have been stocked in different block headquarters to cater the need of
relief and rescue operation if arises.
Meanwhile collector has instructed officials and employees
to be stand by in district headquarters and holidays starting from tomorrow has
been canceled, meanwhile collector has asked people not to be panicky and
requested to assist administration during relief and rescue operation.
Flood situation grim in Orissa; five
killed
Bhubaneswar, Sep 9 - Flood situation in Orissa worsened
today with the release of more water downstream from Hirakud dam, even as the
state government sought choppers from the Centre for relief and rescue
operations in affected areas where five persons have died so far.
A high alert has already been sounded in 11 districts of the
state.
"At least five persons have so far died due to
flood," Water Resources secretary Suresh Mohapatra said, adding one person
each died in Kendrapara, Jajpur and Sambalpur district while two were killed in
Mayurbhanj district.
"Besides, three persons were reportedly swept away in
flood water in Nayagarh district. But their bodies have not been recovered
yet," he said.
Revenue and Disaster Management minister S N Patro, after
reviewing the flood situation, said, "Tonight and tomorrow is crucial
period for the state as about 13 lakh cusec flood water will flow through
Munduli near Cuttack."
The state government's worries were doubled as water level
in Baitarani and Subarnarekha river systems was also increasing though they
showed declining trend yesterday, the minister said describing the situation in
Mahanadi river system as a "high-flood".
Affirming that the situation in the Mahanadi system had
worsened due to heavy downpour in upper catchment areas of Chhattishgarh, the
minister said low pressure is gradually moving towards Jharkhand.
Around 11.5 lakh cusec of water was flowing into Hirakud due
to rains in Chhattisgarh, with the water level touching 628.83 ft as against
the reservoir level of 630 ft, Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said,
adding that 59 gates of the dam were opened to discharge the water.
There are 64 sluice gates and 34 crest gates at the dam for
discharge of excess water, the official said.
A high alert has already been sounded in 11 districts while
the government apprehends a severe flood threat in Mahanadi delta area
comprising four districts of Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Jajpur,
sources said.
In addition, districts like Nayagarh, Puri, Sambalpur,
Sonepur and Boudh would also be affected due to the flood in Mahanadi river
system, they said.
The government is ready to launch relief and rescue operation,
while arrangements were being made for air-dropping food and other essential
commodities.
Though there had been no breach of embankment in the
Mahanadi system, flood water rushed to 1437 villages spread over 14 districts.
PTI
Source: http://www.lensonnews.com/lensonnews/1/16/6720/1/flood-situation-grim-in-orissa;-five-killed.html
=============
|
HIRAKUD
|
RENGALI
|
BALIMELA
|
MACHHKUND
|
UPPER KOLAB
|
INDRAVATI
|
SALANDI
|
|
88.0%
|
94.1%
|
16.6%
|
93.6%
|
29.5%
|
25.8%
|
47.0%
|
|
Time:1200 hrs
|
Time:1100 hrs
|
Time:0800 hrs
|
Time:0800 hrs
|
Time:0800 hrs
|
Time:0800 hrs
|
Time:0600 hrs
|
|
Reservoir Level & position wrt. Full Reservoir Level
|
||||||
|
RL: 627.27ft
|
RL: 122.92m
|
RL: 1459.2ft
|
RL: 2747.45ft
|
RL: 848.98m
|
RL: 630.6m
|
RL: 72.39m
|
|
(-) 2.73ft
|
(-) 0.58m
|
(-) 56.80ft
|
(-) 2.55ft
|
(-) 9.02m
|
(-) 11.40m
|
(-) 9.91m
|
|
Reservoir Inflow & Outflow
|
||||||
|
I:950630Cusecs
|
I:2504.44Cumecs
|
I:244.54Cumecs
|
I:127.68Cumecs
|
I:154.53Cumecs
|
I:240.65Cumecs
|
I:133.49Cumecs
|
|
O:709215Cusecs
|
O:2122.56Cumecs
|
O:38.09Cumecs
|
O:0Cumecs
|
O:27.24Cumecs
|
O:50.13Cumecs
|
O:1.2Cumecs
|
|
Live Storage capacity & Live Storage available
|
||||||
|
Cap:482155 Ham
|
Cap:341371 Ham
|
Cap:267600 Ham
|
Cap:96993 Ham
|
Cap:93500 Ham
|
Cap:148550 Ham
|
Cap:55650 Ham
|
|
LS:424434 Ham
|
LS:321363 Ham
|
LS:44303.65 Ham
|
LS:90769.7 Ham
|
LS:27572 Ham
|
LS:38388.44 Ham
|
LS:26180 Ham
|
|
The RED line corresponds to Full Reservoir
Capacity
|
||||||
Source: http://www.dowrorissa.gov.in/Flood/ReservoirGraph.htm
================
Met Speaks
Major Feature of Weather Forecast Upto 0830
hours IST of 12th September, 2011:
-
Widespread rain/thundershowers would occur over
Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Gangetic West Bengal during next 24 hours
and decrease thereafter.
Weather warning:
-
Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall would
occur over Jammu division of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh,
Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa during next 24 hours and over
Chhattisgarh and east Madhya Pradesh during next 48 hours.
Source: India Meteorological
Department’s All India Weather Bulletin (Evening, 9th),September 2011
===================
--
Water Initiatives Odisha: Fighting
water woes, combating climate change... more
than two decades now!
R-3/A-4, J. M. Colony, Budharaja
Sambalpur
768 004, Odisha, INDIA
Mobile: +919437050103
Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.com, ranjanpanda@yahoo.com
Mobile: +919437050103
Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.com, ranjanpanda@yahoo.com
You can also mail me at: ranjan.waterman@facebook.com
Skype: ranjan.climatecrusader
Please join our group 'Save Rivers Save
Civilizations' at http://www.facebook.com/groups/220598744649462
Kiss the rain when you can, because water and abundance are falling apart...(Ranjan Panda)
===========
Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO) is a state level
coalition of civil society organisations, farmers, academia, media and other
concerned, which has been working on water, environment and climate change
issues in the state for more than two decades now.
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