Sambalpur: Hirakud Dam authorities have opened five more sluice gates of the reservoir to release excess floodwater amid a rapid rise in water level in the dam following heavy rainfall in the upper catchment of river Mahanadi.
Currently, excess floodwater is being released through 12 sluice gates of the dam.
While two of the sluice gates were open earlier, 10 sluice gates were opened in two phases of five each today.
Hirakud Dam authorities have informed that at 6.00 PM today water level in the reservoir had reached 617.93 ft against a full capacity of 630 ft.
Flood water is being released through seven sluice gates on the left side of the reservoir and five on the right side.
While the inflow into the reservoir is 4,78,815 cusec, the outflow from the reservoir is 2,18,735 cusec.
As much as 31,002 cusec water is being released through the power channel of the reservoir into river Mahanadi.
While 1,735 cusec water is being released through canals for irrigation, 274 cusec water is being supplied to industries.
Prior to the opening of the 12 sluice gates in phases people residing in low-lying areas on downstream of the reservoir have been alerted.
With no rains since Thursday water level in river Mahanadi has been receding.
