Hirakud dam to release season's first floodwater on July 18

There has been substantial rise in the water-level of Hirakud dam due to heavy and incessant Rainfall. As a result, the season's first floodwater will be released from the reservoir on July 18 (Monday).

As per official sources, the excess water from the Hirakud dam will be released through five sluice gates.

The gates of the Hirakud dam will be opened at 11 am on Monday, dam’s chief engineer said on Saturday.

The dam authorities said that as there waterlevel of Mahanadi and its tributaries is expected to rise following the release of water from Hirakud, there is a need to create awareness among people so that they do not venture these parts as a precautionary measure.

The decision to open the sluice gates of Hirakud dam has been taken following incessant rainfall in the upper catchment areas.

it is pertinent to mention here that several parts of Odisha are experiencing heavy rainfall activities under the influence of a low pressure system for the past of days. The normal life in several parts including the Twin Cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar has been adversly hit following intense spell of heavy rainfall.

Apart from the Twin City, flood-like situation has also cropped up in Motu area in Malkangiri district.