The Hirakud dam authorities opened 10 additional gates on Friday to release excess water from the reservoir, taking the total number of open gates to 12.
The move comes as water levels in the dam continue to rise amid heavy inflows from upstream catchment areas. Officials said the controlled release is necessary to maintain the reservoir’s safety and balance downstream flow.
Residents in low‑lying areas along the Mahanadi river system have been advised to remain alert as water discharge is expected to increase. The dam management is closely monitoring inflows and downstream conditions to prevent any untoward incidents.
