8 more gates of Hirakud dam opened as water level rises in upper catchment area

Sambalpur: 8 more gates of the Hirakud dam in Odisha’s Sambalpur district have reportedly been opened on Saturday after it was observed that the water level in the upper catchment area of the river increased.

It is to be noted that earlier 9 gates on the left side and 5 gates on the right side are open now. Earlier 6 gates were open. Today the water level at Hirakud dam was 621.3 feet at 11 am.

As of now, 2 lakh 30 thousand cusecs of water is entering into the reservoir per second. By tomorrow, the inflow is speculated to reach 2 lakh 60 thousand cusecs per second.

On the other hand, 3 lakh 50 thousand cusecs of water is flowing in Khairmal while 3 lakh cusecs of water is flowing in Mundali per second. However, Bhakti Ranjan Mohanty, the Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department has assured that there is no chances of flood even though water has entered in the lowland areas.

As per reports, water levels are rising in the Baitarani and Subarnarekha Rivers but are below the danger mark. Also water is flower under the danger mark in the Jalaka and Budha Balanga Rivers.

Mohanty has said that an eye has been kept on the rainfall and steps will be taken by the water resources department accordingly.