Bhubaneswar: Heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi river led to the opening of 20 sluice gates of Hirakud Dam last Sunday. However, with the situation now under control, two gates have been closed, informed the Dam authorities on Wednesday.
With the closure of two sluice gates, 18 gates of the Hirakud Dam are currently releasing floodwater. The closure of two gates has, meanwhile, led to a decrease in the water level of the Mahanadi River near the Mundali in Cuttack, sources said.
According to sources, the water level of Hirakud Dam stood at 611.85 feet as of this morning. While 1,57,272 cusecs of water are flowing into the dam, 3,09,740 cusecs are being released. Currently, 12 gates on the left side and 6 gates on the right side of Hirakud are open. The water level of the Mahanadi River in Mundali decreased since last night.
The highest discharge of 4,85,430 cusecs was recorded at 12 am last night, but the water level has been steady since midnight. As of 6 am today, the discharge has decreased to 4,80,000 cusecs.
As per the report, the water level in Mundali is 87.80 feet in upstream and 84.90 feet in downstream, indicating a low likelihood of further rise in water level. Consequently, the possibility of moderate flooding is ruled out, according to senior officials of the department.
