Bhubaneswar: The administration in Odisha’s Cuttack district has prohibited the entry of devotees to Dhabaleswar temple in the wake of rise in water level in Mahanadi river. The Sub-Collector of Athagarh today issued an order in this regard.

As per the order, the devotees will not be allowed to enter Dhabaleswar shrine, located on an islet in Mahanadi, for 48 hours due to heavy flow of floodwater in the river.

“Due to swelling of water level in River Mahanadi, it is hereby ordered as a public safety measure that the entry of devotees and visitors to Lord Dhabaleswar Pitha shall not be allowed for 48 hours from 4 pm on July 30,” read the order.

The administration has directed the Tahasildar of Athagarh and the IIC of Gurudijhatia police station to ensure the strict implementation of the prohibition order.

It is worth mentioning here that Dhabaleswar temple is a popular Shaivite shrine in Odisha. Hundreds of devotees from across the state visit the shrine on daily basis.

As per the official data, the water level at Hirakud dam reached 617.43 feet by Thursday morning. The rise in water level in Mahanadi may trigger a moderate flood in the downstream.