Odisha Flood: Two Gates Of Machkund Dam Opened To Release Excess Water

Koraput: Following incessant rain in the upper catchment areas of the river, the Machkund Dam authorities in Odisha’s Koraput district have opened two sluice gates of the reservoir to discharge excess water.

The reservoir’s water level continued to rise steadily following heavy downpour over the last few days. The water level stood at 2588.9 feet against the maximum reservoir level of 2590 feet, according to reports.

Around 600 cusec of water is being discharged from the two gates of the reservoir at present, they said.

The dam authorities reportedly said that two more gates would be opened to discharge the flood waters of the dam, if necessary.

Water levels in the major reservoirs in the state, including Hirakud Dam over Mahanadi river, have been rising due to the torrential rain triggered by the formation of back-to-back low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal.

Though the intensity of rainfall has subsided since Monday, Odisha is likely to witness more downpour with a fresh low pressure set to form over the Bay of Bengal around August 19, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).