Sambalpur: The water level in the Hirakud dam in Odisha’s Sambalpur district is increasing rapidly every second owing to heavy rain in the upper catchment area. As a result of which the authorities are all set to release the first phase of flood water on July 23.
The people residing in low-lying areas have been cautioned through the public address system and asked to move to safer places as many places are likely to be inundated after flood water is released from the dam on Sunday.
At 6.00 am on Friday, the water level at the Hirakud dam reached 613 feet compared to 607 feet on Thursday. Every second 1,40,575 cubic feet of flood water enters the reservoir, while 40,270 cubic feet of flood water is being discharged.