Water from Hirakud Dam to be released tomorrow

Hirakud: This season, first flood waters from Hirakud Dam will be released tomorrow in between 10 am and 12 noon, said Harmohan Pradhan, chief engineer of the dam on Saturday.

Without informing how many sluice gates of the dam will be opened, Pradhan said, “The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be followed before opening the dam gates and Collectors of districts in lower catchment area have already been informed.”

He added, “Depending on the quantity of rain in upper and lower catchment areas of Mahanadi, decision will be taken every day on how much water has to be released.”

The dam’s water level was 606.31 ft till 3pm today. As many as 1,04,439 cusec water is entering the Hirakud Dam whereas 26,184 cusec water is being released at present.

Sources said a decision has been taken to release the excess water as flood water in large quantity is entering the dam from Chhattisgarh side.

Samarth Verma, Sambalpur collector, said publicity has been done widely at low lying areas in Sambalpur, Burla and Hirakud.

Besides, advisory has been issued asking people not to venture into Mahanadi tomorrow, he added.