Sambalpur: The authorities of Hirakud dam in Odisha’s Sambalpur opened eight more sluice gates on Thursday to release excess water from the reservoir.
While two sluice gates had been opened yesterday evening, the authorities decided to open eight more gates as the water level in the reservoir rose, sources said.
A total of ten sluice gates of the dam are now open to drain out the excess water accumulated in the reservoir due to heavy rain in upper catchment areas of Mahanadi river. The authorities have opened six gates on the left and four on the right side of the dam.
The water level of the reservoir at Hirakud stood at 628.71 feet against its water holding capacity of 630 feet. The reservoir was receiving 1,42,072 cusec water from the upper catchment area, while the average outflow was 72,190 cusec.
Heavy rain has been lashing the upper catchment areas of river Mahanadi under the influence of a low pressure formed over the Bay of Bengal.
If the flow of water into the reservoir increases further, more sluice gates can be opened, if necessary, the sources said, adding that the Hirakud dam authorities are constantly monitoring the situation.
