Hirakud Dam to open 4 more gates

Sambalpur: The Mahanadi river is swelling due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment region. Thus the gates of Hirakud dam will be opened to release the rainwater on Saturday. In the first phase, over four gates will be opened.

According to reports, the current water level at the Hirakud dam stands at 620 feet. Every second, 2,43, 831 cc of water is entering the reservoir. Fearing dangers and threats to life due to the incessant rains and the rising level of water in Mahanadi, the locals, fishermen and tourists have been asked not to go in the waters.

Hirakud Reservoir authorities have further informed that more Hirakud sluice gates might open if the water level in the upper catchment area rises due to continuous rain.

On the other hand, the Indian Meteorological Centre regional centre has predicted a fresh low pressure on August 25. This is expected in the North western Bay of Bengal and Gangetic West Bengal area. Due to this low pressure, heavy rainfall is likely to lash out in several districts of Odisha. An alert has been issued for these districts.

Under the influence of the upper air cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh a low pressure area has formed over Gangetic West Bengal and neighbourhood at 5.30 PM today, said the Meteorological Department.

The associated upper air cyclonic circulation extends upto 7.6 km above mean sea level tilting southwestwards with height. It is likely to move west northwestwards across Jharkhand during next 24 hours and weaken gradually thereafter, it added.