2 More Gates Of Odisha’s Hirakud Dam Closed Amid Decreased Water Inflow

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Sambalpur: Two more sluice gates of Hirakud Dam in Odisha’s Sambalpur district were closed on Wednesday after a drop in inflow of water into the reservoir.

Excess water from the reservoir is currently being discharged through eight gates including five on the left spillway and three on the right spillway of the dam.

“Water level in the reservoir is now 610 feet. Inflow of water into the reservoir is around two lakh cusecs and outflow over 2.5 lakh cusec,” said Water Resources Department engineer-in-chief Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty.

He said the water level in the Mahanadi river will increase as heavy rain has occurred in many areas, including Khairmal, Banki, Sonepur and Nayagarh. Tel river basin areas in Kalahandi and Balangir have also recorded heavy downpour.

A high-level meeting will be held to take stock of the situation and decide whether it is necessary to open more sluice gates of Hirakud dam, he said.

Allaying fear of any flood in the state, he said six lakh cusec water is likely to pass through Khairmal on Thursday, while the water flow at Mundali will be four lakh cusec and it may go up to six lakh cusec.

Though the water level of Mahanadi is likely to increase, all other major rivers, including Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Bansadhara, are flowing much below the danger level., he said.