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Sambalpur: The Hirakud dam authorities on Friday released first flood waters of this year after a ceremonial puja here near the reservoir. The sluice gate no 7 has been opened now and more gates are likely to be opened to discharge more waters if necessary, dam officials said.
It is obligatory to discharge water from the reservoir during this time to improve its retention capacity. There is heavy flow of water from the catchment areas during the time that prompted the dam authorities to dispense waters. The water level in the rivers situated in the lower catchment areas of the biggest dam may rise. So, the district administrations of the lower areas have been asked to remain alert, they added.
Sources said, the world biggest earthen dam has a total of 64 sluice gates (40 on the left and 24 on the right). It has 34 crest gates (21 on the left and 13 on the right).
The total length of the main dam is about 4.840 km, connecting Burla on the right with Hirakud town on the left. About 15,000 cusec water is discharged through one sluice gate.
An EOT (electric operated travel) crane helps open the gate. A button is pressed to operate the German technology-aided system.
