Sambalpur: With the water level of the Hirakud dam reservoir in Odisha’s Sambalpur district rising since Wednesday night, its authorities have decided to open 10 sluice gates on Thursday.
According to sources, the water level of the reservoir has been steadily rising due to heavy rain in upper catchment areas of river Mahanadi.
Chief Engineer of Hirakud dam Anand Sahu said the reservoir has been receiving around 4 lakh cusec of rainwater since 6 am. In order to ease the pressure on the reservoir, they have decided to open total 10 gates on the day, he added.
Sahu further said the gates will be opened in two phases. In the first phase, 5 gates of the dam will be opened to release the excess water between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm. Subsequently, the rest 5 gates will be opened, he added.
He further said the authorities have sounded siren since 9.30 am to alert the people living along the downstream of the river so that they can shift to safer places. On opening more gates, he said they will take a decision depanding on rain and water inflow into the reservoir.
