Sambalpur, Aug 22: With surplus water inputs due to incessant downpour in the upstream of the Mahanadi, Hirakud Dam authorities opened six sluice gates of the reservoir on Thursday.
With the opening of the gates for the second time, surplus water is now being released through the head gates in a regulated manner, the dam authorities said.
Worth mentioning, almost 14 gates were opend by Aug 8. As a result at least 587,560 cusecs of water were found flowing in Mahanadi at Mundali. Dam authorities said the reservoir’s water level stood at 612.25 ft at 6.00 am against its water-holding capacity of 630 ft.
The Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has issued a warning to district collectors in the lower catchment area of the Mahanadi River, urging them to remain vigilant. The District Emergency Officers (DEOs) of Sambalpur, Sonepur, Nayagarh, Angul, Boudh, Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara have been specifically instructed to stay on high alert.
The SRC has directed the authorities in these regions to pay particular attention to low-lying areas. Access to submerged roads, culverts, and bridges should be restricted, and any untoward incidents must be reported immediately, the SRC emphasised.
