Hirakud reservoir releases floodwater through 10 sluice gates as water level rises

Sambalpur: The Hirakud dam authorities in Sambalpur has released excess floodwater through 10 sluice gates as the water-level continued to rise on Friday morning, reaching 614.47 feet.

As per the data recorded at 6 am, the reservoir was receiving an inflow of 85,108 cusecs of water, while 1,81,500 cusecs were being discharged downstream to manage the water level.

The water was being released seven on the left spillway and three on the right spillway in addition to the regular discharge through the power channel and canals.

Meanwhile, as many parts of the district are situated along the banks of the Mahanadi River, the district administration is fully prepared to tackle any potential flood situation; everyone has been alerted, and the District Collectors are remaining vigilant.

At the Jobra Barrage,around 85,774 cusecs of water was being discharged into the Mahanadi River. Similarly, the Naraj Barrage was releasing 65,453 cusecs of water into the Kathajodi River and at Mundali the water discharge was recorded at 1,46,547 cusecs.

As part of security arrangements, the Sambalpur administration had declared Hirakud Dam and its peripheral areas a no-flying zone prohibiting operation of drones, microlight aircraft and all other unmanned or manned aerial devices.