Bhubaneswar: The administration in Odisha’s Sambalpur district has declared Hirakud dam and its periphery as a no-fly zone.

The administration made this announcement ahead of the release of season’s first floodwater from Hirakud on July 9 (Thursday). 

“As per the order of the Collector & District Magistrate, Sambalpur, the Hirakud main dam and its peripheral areas have been declared as a no-fly zone ahead of the release of the first flood water from the reservoir,” said the district administration.

Accordingly, the operation of drones, microlight aircraft, and all other unmanned or manned aerial devices is strictly prohibited in the notified area without prior approval of the District Magistrate, it added.

“All media persons and the general public are requested to strictly adhere to the order and cooperate with the administration in ensuring safety and security,” stated the administration.

High alert in Cuttack district

The Cuttack district administration, meanwhile, has strictly prohibited swimming, bathing, and any other recreational or commercial activities in Mahanadi river and all its distributaries.

Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde has issued an order in this regard.

The Collector has directed the Commissioner of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and all BDOs to promulgate the prohibition order at all river ghats and deploy dedicated nodal officers for continuous monitoring.

Besides, the Inspectors in-Charge (IICs) of all police stations have been asked to take the necessary steps to enforce the prohibition order and prevent the public from accessing the river ghats.

The mining of sand from riverbeds in Cuttack district has been suspended till further orders.

The administration has also asked the people not to congregate or loiter on any bridge, barrage and river embankment in Cuttack for the purpose of watching floodwater.

It has also prohibited photography and video recording of the floodwater by venturing close to the riverbanks, ghats and flowing water bodies.

“Any violation in this regard will be dealt with strictly under Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other applicable laws,” said the Cuttack district administration.