Hirakud releases season’s first flood water, no flood threat in downstream

Sambalpur: Inflow of flood water of the Mahanadi river into the Hirakud reservoir following heavy rainfall in upper catchment areas forced authorities to release excess water into the basin by opening gates of the dam here on Sunday.

Official sources said, only one sluice gate was opened after the ceremonial puja at around 10:50 am today.

Dam chief engineer Harmohan Pradhan informed that flood water will be released in the basin through two gates while there is no ‘flood threat’ as the basin downstream is dry.

At present, the water level of Hirakud stands at 607.60 ft with an inflow of 97,000 cusecs . per second and outflow of 25,000 cusecs out of the dam.

With the opening of two sluice gates, the dam officials have targeted to release nearly 30,000 cusecs of flood water per second.

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was followed before opening the dam gates and Collectors of districts in lower catchment area have already been alerted as a precautionary measure.

“There is no report of rainfall in Chhattisgarh while 50 mm of rainfall was recorded in Sundargarh. We will assess the situation and take necessary measures,” Pradhan added.

Meanwhile, the employees at Hirakud dam launched a peaceful protest over large vacancies here today. The employees wore black badges on duty as a mark of protest.