Blame Game begins: Did Wrong Operation of Hirakud Dam trigger flood disaster?

Even as over 38 lakh people have been marooned by the flood fury in Mahanadi and other rivers in the state, out honourable politicians have begun the blame game. Millions of people are still without food, drinking water and shelter. But leaders don't care about their plight. They continued to blame each other.

A new controversy has surfaced over the operation of Hirakud Dam. According to sources, the Hirakud Dam operators had kept water level at the dam above the permitted level and did not bother to release them and waited till the disaster happened. According to experts, had the dam operated properly to keep the water level below the recommended level, the flood disaster could have been avoided.

The Hirakud Dam operators released 4.62 lakh cusecs of water on September 19 and then 7.91 lakh cusecs on September 20. That raised the water level to 16 lakh cusecs at Mundali Bridge on Mahanadi and triggered a severe flood situation in Orissa. The state government is yet to respond to the allegations brought against the operators of Hirakud Dam.