Hirakud Dam authorities open 4 more gates; no flood threat, says EIC

Even as several low-lying areas including Banki, Boudh, and other parts are now submerged following incessant rainfall; senior officials of the Odisha government on Saturday categorically stated that there is no flood situation in the state.

Though water has entered some low-lying pockets, there is no flood threat, said the Engineering-in-chief, Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty.

Meanwhile, the Hirakud dam authorities today opened four more dates to release excess water. With this, now excess floodwater is being released through 26 gates of the Hirakud reservoir.

The authorities of Hirakud dam ruled out further opening of more gates. Anand Sahu, chief engineer of Hirakud Dam said, “Due inflow of water, we have decided to open four more gates of Hirakud. But as there is no chance of more inflow, we will keep the 26 gates open as of now.”

Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty, Engineer-in-chief of the Water Resources Department said, “The inflow into Hirakud is 4.50 lakh cusecs and outflow is around 4.55 lakh cusecs through 26 gates. Around 7 lakh cusecs of floodwater is flowing at Mundali.”

According to Mohanty, the situation has cropped up due to heavy rainfall activities in Mahanadi downstream and upstream areas in Chhattisgarh.

“We are operating the gates of Hirakud as per the inflow from upstream. As of now, there is no flood threat in Odisha. The overall management is good. We are monitoring all things and working in coordination with the SRC,” Mohanty added.