Sambalpur: As announced earlier, the authorities of Hirakud dam reservoir in Odisha’s Sambalpur will open sluice gates on Sunday to release the first flood water this season.
Speaking to media persons on Saturday, the dam’s chief engineer Anand Chandra Sahu said total 5 gates will be opened to drain out the excess water accumulated in the reservoir due to rain in upper catchment areas of Mahanadi river.
Like previous years, Gate No 7 will be opened first at 9 am, followed by other gates. Three sluice gates on the left side of the dam and two on the right side will be opened, he said.
A crane will be used to open the gates while it takes 23 minutes to open a sluice gate. Around 15,000 cusec water is released through each gate, he added.
“The water level of the reservoir at Hirakud now stands at 614.25 feet. As per the curve rule, the water level will have to be maintained at 605 feet by July 31 by releasing excess water into Mahanadi system,” Sahu said.
According to sources, the dam has been receiving 68,000 cusec water from the upper catchment area and releasing 38,119 cusec into Mahanadi through the power channel by Saturday morning.
It may be noted that the dam authorities had issued a notice on Wednesday about opening of gates for the information of the people residing downstream of Hirakud dam, urging them to remain alert while going into the tributaries.
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