Hirakud Dam to Release 2024’s First Floodwater on July 28

Bhubaneswar: Floodwater will be released from Hirakud dam in Sambalpur district for the first time this season on July 28 (Sunday). According to Hirakud Dam authorities, after the ritualistic puja, the sluice gates of the dam will be opened at 9 am.

The collectors of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Angul, Boudh, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Phulbani, Khurda, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur and Puri on the downstream have been alerted to ensure that the riverbed is cleared of temporary constructions or encroachments.

Due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area of the Mahanadi river, the water level of the reservoir of the Hirakud dam is on the rise. It was at 604.75 feet against its intake capacity of 630 feet. According to reports, around 1,72,000 cusec floodwater is entering the dam.