Bhubaneswar: The Hirakud Dam authorities in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Tuesday closed 10 sluice gates in view of less rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi river system.
The floodwater is now being discharged through seven sluice gates on the left side of the dam and three sluice gates on the right side of the dam.
According to sources, the water inflow and outflow into the reservoir stood at 1.58 lakh cusec and 3.48 lakh cusec, respectively, at 9 am. Following which, 10 of the 20 gates were closed. The water level at the dam is 617.96 ft against the full capacity of 630 ft and it has to be reduced to 615 ft as per the existing Rule Curve.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow warning of thunderstorm with lightning for 2 days. Thunderstorm with lightning may occur at one or two places in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Ganjam districts till 8.30 am on Wednesday. A similar warning has been sounded in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Malkangiri, Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam during the subsequent 24 hours.
Light to moderate rain or thundershower is also likely across the state during the next 5 days. On August 11, light to moderate rain or thundershower may occur at a few places in North Odisha and at one or two places in southern districts of the state. Light to moderate rain or thundershower is likely at a few places in Interior Odisha and at one or two places in coastal districts, the following day.
