Hirakud Dam authorities open 5 more gates to release flood water

Hirakud Dam

Bhubaneswar: The authorities of Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur district on Monday opened five more sluice gates to release flood water following heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi river. At present, water is being discharged through eight sluice gates.
According to reports, the water level in the reservoir stood at 608.35 ft. While the 70,196 cubic feet of water was being released per second, the dam was receiving 97, 413 cubic feet of water per second.
Meanwhile, the water level in the Baitarini river at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district also crossed the danger mark of 17.83 metre and stood at 17.84 metre. People residing in Kantipala and other villages under Solampur Panchayat of Bhandaripokhari block were forced to abandon their houses as flood water entered the area.