6 Gates Of Odisha’s Hirakud Dam Opened As Water Level Of Reservoir Goes Up

Sambalpur: A day after closing all gates of Hirakud dam in Odisha’s Sambalpur district, the authorities opened 6 sluice gates as the water level of the reservoir went up on Thursday.

According to sources, the dam authorities opened 4 gates on right side of the reservoir and two gates on the left side. The six gates were opened as the water level of the reservoir went up due to heavy rains in the upper catchment areas of Mahanadi river overnight.

The water level of the reservoir stood at 629.5 feet against its holding capacity of 630 feet. The water level had dropped to 628.02 ft on Wednesday.

All the sluice gates of the dam were closed on Wednesday afternoon after the water level dropped. Engineer-in-Chief of the State Water Resources Department Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty had said there was no flood threat with 3.70 lakh cusec water flowing through Mundali.

It may be noted that Odisha recorded 284.7 mm rainfall in the last 21 days, which is 53% more than the normal of 185.4 mm, and 20% in excess of September’s monthly average of 235.7 mm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in next two days as the low pressure area has moved to southeast Jharkhand and neighbourhood.

Also Read: Odisha Records 53% Excess Rain In last 21 Days; Heavy Downpour To Continue For 2 Days