Heavy Rain Triggers Opening of 8 Gates at Hirakud Dam

Sambalpur, 23/08: Due to intense rainfall in the upper catchment areas, the Hirakud reservoir has witnessed a significant surge in floodwater inflow, prompting authorities to open eight sluice gates on Saturday. This move aims to regulate water levels and ensure safe reservoir management, as the dam approaches its maximum capacity of 630 feet. At 10 AM, five gates on the left and three on the right were opened to release excess water. Prior to this, local administrations had issued alerts via sirens to villages along the Mahanadi river basin, warning residents about the impending water discharge.
This marks the second phase of floodwater release this season. The first occurred on July 6, when 20 gates were opened simultaneously. However, as the inflow reduced, all gates were closed by August 3. With renewed rainfall, the discharge process has resumed. As per the latest data, the reservoir’s water level stands at 620.50 feet. The current inflow is approximately 2.52 lakh cusecs per second, while the outflow is around 1 lakh cusecs. Rainfall recorded in the last 24 hours includes 21.63 mm in the upper catchment and 27.68 mm in the lower catchment. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent downstream flooding and ensure public safety.