SAMBALPUR: With yet another low pressure and heavy downpour predicted from Sunday, the Hirakud Dam authorities continued to release water through the 24 sluice gates to create cushioning space in case of heavy rain in the upstream.
At 6 pm on Saturday, water level in the reservoir stood at 622.60 feet while inflow of water was recorded at 2,24,443 cusec and outflow through the sluice gates, power channel and canals was 3,95,662 cusec.
The rainfall recorded in the upstream in last 24 hours was 3.47 mm while it was 2.65 in the downstream.
Chief Engineer of Hirakud Dam, Biswajit Mohanty said they will begin shutting the gates from 9 am on Sunday once the water level reaches 620 feet. He said at least 10 sluice gates will be closed as the rain forecast is only for downstream. He added that there will be no flood-like situation in the downstream. Water released from the dam meets river Tel at Khairmal and moves towards Mundali in the downstream. If the water level in Tel increases, the outflow will be regulated from Hirakud Dam, he added.
He informed that steps would be taken to ensure that water from the Mahanadi and Tel do not meet at Khairmal.
Meanwhile, there is some respite from the flood in Bargarh district but not wanting to take any chances, District Collector Anjan Kumar Manik said all line departments have been put on high alert due to low pressure.
Leaves of all district-level officials have been cancelled for three days and a close watch is being kept on the situation.