Angul, Jul 30: The Rengali Dam in Odisha's Angul district on Wednesday released the first floodwater of the season after the reservoir's water level rose due to continuous rainfall in the upper catchment areas. Authorities opened one sluice gate to regulate the inflow and maintain the reservoir's safety.

According to officials, the current water level of the Rengali reservoir stands at 122.24 metres, against its full storage capacity of 123.50 metres. The reservoir is receiving an inflow of 2,735 cubic metres of water per second.

To manage the rising water level, authorities are discharging 1,394.24 cubic metres per second through one gate, while an additional 501 cubic metres per second is being released through the power tunnel.

In view of the increased discharge, the district administrations of Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur and Kendrapara have been alerted to remain vigilant. Residents living along the banks of the Brahmani River have also been advised not to venture near the river or allow their livestock to graze close to the riverbanks.

The dam authorities stated that the situation is being monitored round the clock and assured that additional gates will be opened if required, depending on further inflow from the upper catchment areas.