Sambalpur: Hirakud Dam authorities have ordered the opening of three additional sluice gates amid rising water levels and significant rainfall in the catchment areas.
With this decision, a total of 10 sluice gates (7 on the left and 3 on the right) will remain open to manage the increased inflow.
According to the latest gauge discharge data, several downstream stations are recording high flows. Khairmal reported the highest discharge at 2,41,500 cusecs with 31.4 mm cumulative rainfall (rising trend), followed by Mundali at 1,60,938 cusecs and Barmul at 1,34,000 cusecs. Patharla recorded 46,963 cusecs while Belgaon stood at 17,500 cusecs.
Rainfall has been notable in the upstream regions, with Burla receiving 58.6 mm and Hirakud 43.5 mm. The average upstream rainfall stood at 40.17 mm, while the average downstream rainfall was 19.62 mm.
Officials stated that the decision to open three more sluice gates was taken to safely release excess water and maintain the reservoir at optimum levels. Water levels and rainfall patterns across the Mahanadi basin continue to be closely monitored.
