Bhubaneswar: The authorities of Hirakud Dam released the season’s first floodwater from the reservoir on Sunday.
The floodwater was released from sluice gate no 7 on the left side. Now, the water is being discharged through five gates on the north side at 9.30 am today.
The gates were opened to discharge the excess water after special worship by the dam authorities.
The dam authorities will open 20 gates today in three phases at 9.30 am, 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm respectively.
Due to the opening of 20 gates, the Khairmal discharge would be around 4.50 lakh causes on July 29 morning and the Mundali discharge will be around 5.00 lakh cusecs by 30 July at 11.00 am, officials said.
The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has instructed Collectors of Sambalpur, Sonepur, Nayagarh, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada to remain alert and make people caution against entry into the river.
Animals will not be allowed to graze close to the river. Collectors are also asked to monitor the situation, SRC office said.
