Sambalpur, Aug 9: To release surplus water, Hirakud Dam authorities opened six more sluice gates of the reservoir.
With the opening of the six gates, floodwater is now being released through 14 gates – nine on the left and five on the right.
As per official data, 587,560 cusecs of water were flowing in Mahanadi at Mundali by 6.00 am on Friday. At 8.00 am, 5.78 lakh cusec of water flowed 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 dam was releasing 286,136 cusec water by 6.00 am.
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.
