Bhubaneswar: The Water Resources Department of Odisha has announced that the first release of floodwater from the Hirakud dam for the current monsoon season will take place on July 6 (Sunday).
While the department has confirmed the date, it has not disclosed the number of sluice gates that will be opened during the release. Sources indicate that a traditional puja will be performed before the discharge of water, as part of the customary rituals observed at the dam every year.
Built across the Mahanadi River, the Hirakud dam is one of India’s earliest and largest multipurpose river valley projects. It also holds the distinction of being the longest earthen dam in the world, playing a crucial role in flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation in Odisha.
