Hirakud Dam Shuts Two Sluice Gates as Reservoir Level Falls

Bhubaneswar: Authorities at the Hirakud Dam on Friday morning shut two sluice gates as the reservoir water level showed a declining trend, even as inflow into the dam continued to rise.

According to the 9 am status report, the reservoir level was recorded at 621.50 feet. Following the closure of two gates, water is currently being released through 15 sluice gates—10 on the left spillway and five on the right spillway.

The average inflow into the reservoir was recorded at 2,59,805 cusecs and was showing an increasing trend. Meanwhile, the average outflow stood at 2,70,852 cusecs.

Of the total discharge, 2,36,790 cusecs was being released through the spillway, while 31,182 cusecs was flowing through the power channel. Another 229 cusecs was being supplied for industrial requirements and 2,651 cusecs was being released through the canal system.

Under the canal system, 2,300 cusecs was being released into the Bargarh Main Canal, including 2,200 cusecs for the BMC and 100 cusecs for the Godbhaga distributary. The Sambalpur Main Canal was receiving 300 cusecs, while 51 cusecs was being released into the Sambalpur distributary.

Downstream, the gauge discharge at Mundali remained steady at 4,74,624 cusecs. Khairmal recorded 3,90,000 cusecs and Barmul 3,81,250 cusecs, with both locations showing a declining trend. Belgaon recorded a discharge of 25,000 cusecs, while Patharla registered 54,765 cusecs.

Rainfall in the catchment area remained limited, with Burla receiving 3.8 mm and Hirakud recording 1.7 mm of rainfall.

Hirakud Dam authorities are closely monitoring the reservoir level, inflow and rainfall conditions across the upper catchment area and are taking necessary measures based on the prevailing situation.