Heavy rainfall in upper catchment of Mahanadi

Rainfall activities have started in upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi river in Chhattisgarh under the impact of deep depression. Some places of north Chhattisgarh may witness a fresh spell of rains today and heavy rainfall tomorrow, predicted India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday.

Mahanadi basin will see a little chance of receiving heavy rainfall, said IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Sahoo. However, he has asked the flood victims to remain alert.

IMD DG further informed that heavy to heavy rainfall in the state is likely tomorrow. Odisha is currently witnessing a flood in Mahanadi river following heavy rainfall.

Earlier, the dam was releasing water through 40 sluice gates after the inflow of water increased. The dam authorities decided to close 12 sluice gates on Thursday. Earlier in the day, four more sluice gates of the reservoir were closed to regulate the release of floodwater. 

Now, floodwater is being released from 20 sluice gates.

The Hirakud dam is releasing 3.50 lakh cusec water per second through 20 sluice gates today while the inflow was 3.37 lakh cusec water. The discharge at Mundali barrage was 9.48 lakh cusec while it was 6.30 lakh cusec water at Khairamala, 8.19 lakh cusec water at Baramula.

It is learnt that the water level of Hirakud reservoir was 621.81 feet at present.