Hirakud releases season's first floodwater through 20 gates

The season’s first floodwater was released from Hirakud Dam through 20 gates on Sunday. The authorities of the dam have decided to flush out excess water by opening 20 gates in a phased manner today.

The decision to open the gates of Hirakud Dam has been taken in view of the heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas and the inflow of water into the dam.

By 6 am today, the water level of Hirakud stood at 616.93 ft. While the inflow of water into the reservoir was 3, 16,000 cusec, the outflow from the dam was 40,126 cusec.

As per tradition,  sluice gate number 7 was opened first after the conduct of a puja. First four gates were opened at 9 am today. 

Ahead of the opening of the gates, the officials had created massive awareness through the public address system not to enter the Mahanadi river during the release of floodwater from Hirakud.

Due to opening of 20 gates of Hirakud dam, the Khairmal discharge would be around 4.50 lakh cusecs on July 29 morning and the discharge at Mundali would be around 5.00 lakh cusecs by July 30, informed the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).

The SRC has instructed to Collectors of Sambalpur, Sonepur, Nayagarh, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada to alert the people of Mahandi river side not to enter to Mahanadi. Animals shall also not be allowed for gazing close to the river. 

The Collectors have also been requested to remain alert and monitor the situation.