Sambalpur: The first floodwater of the season was released from the Hirakud dam today. The decision was taken following incessant rainfall in the upper catchment areas.
As per official sources, the excess water from the Hirakud dam is being released through seven sluice gates.
The gates of the Hirakud dam opened at 11 am on Monday, informed the dam’s chief engineer.
Meanwhile, the district administration alerted the people of Hirakud, Sambalpur and Burla area through loud speaker before the release of water.
There are 64 sluice gates including 24 on the right and 40 on the left side of the dam to release flood water. Each sluice gate has the capacity to discharge 16,440 cusec of water when reservoir level, also termed as danger level, is 630 ft.
This apart, there are 34 crest gates, 13 on the right and 21 on left side, which have the potential to discharge 16,238 cusec of water.
