The Hirakud Reservoir has opened eight sluice gates to discharge floodwater into the Mahanadi River, following a sharp rise in inflow from Chhattisgarh due to heavy rainfall.
Officials reported that the reservoir’s water level has climbed to 619.91 feet and continues to rise. At present, inflow stands at 1,27,636 cusecs per second, while outflow through the gates has reached 2,11,897 cusecs per second.
Of the eight gates currently open, five are on the left spillway near Hirakud township and three on the right spillway near Burla. Each gate is releasing over 15,000 cusecs of water. In addition, 28,139 cusecs are being discharged through the Burla power channel, 247 cusecs for industrial use, and 3,043 cusecs through irrigation canals.
This marks the second major release of the season. The gates were first opened on July 9, when ten sluice gates were operated before being reduced as upstream rainfall subsided. With inflow rising again, authorities have indicated that more gates may be opened if water levels continue to climb.
Reservoir officials assured that the situation is under close watch and flood regulation measures are in place to balance inflow and outflow.
