The Mahanadi River system is on high alert as floodwaters continue to surge through low-lying areas, prompting authorities to ramp up discharge operations at the Hirakud Dam.
With heavy inflows swelling the reservoir, dam officials have opened two additional sluice gates, bringing the total number of operational gates to 24.
Current telemetry from the Hirakud reservoir puts the water level at 628.19 feet. The dam is currently experiencing a massive water influx, with an average of 3,39,018 cusecs entering the reservoir per second. To manage the pressure, authorities are releasing 3,64,432 cusecs of water downstream.
A breakdown of the discharge data reveals that:
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3,26,100 cusecs are being discharged directly through the spillway.
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34,448 cusecs are being released through the power channel.
The massive pulse of water is expected to reach Mundali by tonight, carrying an estimated 6 lakh cusecs of floodwater. As this heavy volume moves toward the lower catchments, tributary rivers connected to the Mahanadi are also beginning to swell, raising serious concerns of localised flooding in vulnerable downstream regions. District administrations remain on edge, closely monitoring the situation as communities brace for potential inundation.
