Following intense rainfall over the Hirakud Dam’s catchment area, authorities have opened 14 sluice gates to release excess floodwater and maintain safe reservoir levels.
The dam, which has a maximum water storage capacity of 630 feet, recorded a water level of 626.50 feet as of the latest update.
The current inflow into the reservoir stands at approximately 2,10,455 cubic feet per second, while the outflow is being managed at around 1,97,856 cubic feet per second. Of the 14 gates opened, nine are on the left bank and five on the right, allowing controlled discharge into the Mahanadi River.
This marks the second round of floodwater release in recent days. Earlier, on July 6, a one-time opening of 20 gates was initiated to manage the season’s first surge. However, as inflow subsided, all gates were closed by August 3. With rainfall intensifying again, the dam resumed discharge operations two days ago.
Local administration has issued repeated alerts to villages along the Mahanadi basin, urging residents to remain vigilant. The dam’s flood control room has also forecast continued rainfall over the next 24 hours, which could further impact water levels.
