Sambalpur: Hirakud dam authorities have opened 20 gates of the reservoir following the rapid rise in the water level in the Hirakud reservoir due to heavy rains in the catchment area of the Mahanadi River. As many as 20 sluice gates of Hirakud dam in Odisha’s Sambalpur district have been opened on Sunday to discharge the excess floodwater.
Earlier, nine gates on the left side and five gates on the right side were opened. The water level at Hirakud dam rose rapidly and, hence, the authorities decided to open six more gates on Sunday.
The world’s longest dam, Hirakud released the first floodwater of the season on July 28 after the water level increased in the upper catchment area due to continuous rain.
Hirakud reservoir authorities have informed that they might open more Hirakud sluice gates if the water level in the upper catchment area rises due to continuous rain.
