Hirakud Dam To Release Season’s First Flood Water On July 23

Bhubaneswar, July 20: The Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) on Thursday announced that the sluice gates of the Hirakud Dam would be opened on July 23 to release the season's first floodwater.

This decision was taken following a notable increase in the reservoir water level caused by recent rains in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi River in Chhattisgarh.

On July 23, the gates are set to be opened at 9 A.M, considering the current water level in the reservoir, which stands at 611.52 feet. The dam's capacity allows it to hold water up to the danger mark of 630 feet, said news reports.

Presently, the inflow to the dam has been measured at 1.4 lakh cusecs, while the outflow is registered at 40,000 cusecs. Due to the ongoing influx of water into the reservoir, the water level has been steadily rising, prompting the dam authorities to take the precautionary measure of opening the gates within three days.

The dam authorities have issued a warning to the communities downstream to ensure they are prepared for the controlled discharge of water. This measure aims to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of those residing in the affected areas.