Riverside Odisha Districts Warned As Water Level Of Hirakud Dam Rises

Sambalpur: The Hirakud Dam authorities on Monday issued a warning for riverside districts as the water level of the dam crossed 615 feet as against the optimum capacity of 630 feet.

According to reports, the dam authorities issued a warning in Boudh and Sonepur districts through loudspeakers urging people not to near the river bed with domestic animals as the water level would rise suddenly with a strong current with the release of floodwater.

Talking to the media, chief engineer of the dam, Sunil Kumar Nayak said the water level of the dam was 615.65 feet 12 pm on Monday with the inflow and outflow of the water at 80,752 and 18,784 cusecs of water per second.

On the release of the floodwater from the dam, Nayak said it has been decided that the first floodwater of Mahanadi will be released through the sluice gates of the dam on August 14.

“In view of incessant rains in the upper catchments, we are in constant touch with the Chhattisgarh government to monitor the water level of the river at different gauge stations. We will decide the number of gates of the dam to be opened to release the floodwater on the basis of their feedback,” he added.