Excess flood water released from Hirakud dam

The Hirakud Dam authorities on Tuesday released the season’s first flood water from the dam through three sluice gates. The water level of Hirakud Dam Reservoir (HDR) stood at 618 feet by 10 AM today against Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 630 feet when water from the dam was released first through the sluice Gate at 12 noon. Another sluice gate was opened after a gap of one hour.

The customary ‘puja’ was performed at the Spillway Control Room before the gates were opened amidst sound of siren. The flood water released by the dam will reach Mundali barrage in next 36 hours.

Sambalpur Collector Samarth Verma said, “Currently, flood water is being released through three gates. The dam will open 15 more gates in a phased manner. Five more gates will be opened today.”

According to the source 1,40,899 cusecs water per second is now entering the dam while 12,121 cusecs water per second is being released from the reservoir.

The water level is likely to further rise as MeT predicted more rains.