Water Level At Odisha’s Hirakud Dam May Touch Danger Mark Today

Bhubaneswar: Amid continuous increase in the inflow of water, water level in Hirakud Dam in Odisha’s Sambalpur is set to reach the danger level of 630 ft anytime soon.

“The water level is likely to reach 630 ft by Friday. As per the prediction, the lower Mahanadi basin will receive rainfall up to 37 mm on October 1 and it will go up to around 50 mm on October 2. Considering the situation, we will have to make space to handle the large inflow of flood water that might come due to heavy rainfall,” Chief engineer of Upper Mahanadi Basin, Ananda Charan Sahoo was quoted as saying by TNIE.

The IMD has forecast isolated very heavy rainfall over Odisha on October 1 and 2 under the influence of a low pressure area, which lies over Northeast and adjoining Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and is likely to become well marked and move northwestwards towards north Odisha & adjoining West Bengal coasts during next 48 hours.

Also Read: Twin Low Pressure Areas Form Bay & Arabian Sea; Heavy Rain To Resume In Odisha From Today

Sahoo further said that the water level of the reservoir had touched the 630ft mark on the same date last year. “We are continuously monitoring the situation. More gates will be opened as and when required,” he added.

By Thursday evening, the water level of the reservoir stood at 629.85 ft with water being released through seven gates, including five on the left and two on the right side. The average inflow of water into the dam was 1,67,673 cusec while average outflow was 1,54,968 cusec including 1,14,989 cusec to spillway; 35,942cusec to power channel; 3,757 cusec to Irrigation and 257 cusec to industry, at 6 pm.