Authorities have opened 10 gates of the Hirakud Dam following a rise in the reservoir’s water level due to continuous rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi basin.
According to dam officials, the water level at Hirakud Dam was recorded at 613.33 feet at 6 am on Tuesday. The reservoir is receiving an inflow of 2,10,429 cusecs of water per second, while 1,86,354 cusecs is being discharged through the opened gates to regulate the rising water level.
Of the 10 gates currently open, seven are on the left spillway and three on the right spillway.
Water reaches Mundali Barrage
The water released from the reservoir has reached the Mundali Barrage in Cuttack, where more than one lakh cusecs of water is currently flowing through the Mahanadi river system.
Authorities said the discharge is being closely monitored to ensure safe regulation of water levels downstream.
No flood threat at present
Despite the increased inflow, dam authorities have clarified that there is no flood threat in the Mahanadi river system at present.
Officials said continuous monitoring is underway as rainfall persists in the upper catchment areas, with water discharge being regulated based on the inflow into the reservoir.
The development comes as several parts of Odisha continue to receive widespread rainfall under the influence of an active low-pressure system. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rain alerts for multiple districts, forecasting heavy rainfall over the next two days.
Residents living along the Mahanadi river have been advised to stay updated with official announcements, although authorities have not issued any flood warning so far.
