With heavy inflow from the upstream catchment, the Hirakud reservoir has opened 14 sluice gates to discharge floodwater, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Of these, nine gates are on the left and five on the right side of the dam.
The reservoir’s water level has climbed to 620.02 feet, with an inflow of 2,24,614 cusecs and a total outflow of 1,99,264 cusecs through spillways, power channels, industrial use, and irrigation canals. Spillway discharge alone accounts for 1,64,535 cusecs, while power channels release 31,756 cusecs.
Canal systems are also carrying water for agriculture: Bargarh canal (2,393 cusecs), Sasan canal (300 cusecs), and Sambalpur distributary (51 cusecs). Industrial use accounts for 229 cusecs.
Downstream, river levels are rising: Khairmal recorded 2,64,000 cusecs, Baramul 1,44,000 cusecs, Munduli 1,60,938 cusecs, Patharla 48,736 cusecs, and Belgaon 19,000 cusecs. Rainfall has been moderate, with 9.6 mm recorded in Burla over the past 24 hours.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to balance reservoir safety with flood control, as inflows remain significant.
