Heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi River has led to a significant increase in water inflow, raising the water level in the Hirakud Dam reservoir.
Authorities have announced that the first floodwater release of the 2025 monsoon season will occur on Sunday, July 6, through the dam’s sluice gates to manage the rising levels and prevent potential flooding downstream.
Currently, the reservoir’s water level stands at 603 cubic feet, with an inflow of 94,447 cusecs and an outflow of 32,347 cusecs per second.
According to the dam’s rule curve, the water level must be maintained at 605 feet by the end of July. However, officials anticipate the level will exceed this threshold by Sunday, necessitating the release starting at 9 AM. The decision on the number of sluice gates to be opened will depend on continuous monitoring of the inflow.
The Hirakud Dam, with a maximum storage capacity of 630 feet, initiates water release when levels surpass 605 feet to ensure safety and flood control. For the past two days, residents in the Mahanadi basin have been alerted via loudspeakers to stay vigilant.
Weather forecasts predict heavy rainfall in the upper catchment over the next 24 hours, further underscoring the need for proactive water management.
The Chief Engineer’s office at the Mahanadi Basin emphasised that the release is a precautionary measure to balance the reservoir’s capacity and protect downstream communities. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure a controlled and safe release process.
