SAMBALPUR: The Hirakud Dam authorities on Sunday released the season’s first flood water from the dam through two sluice gates. The water level of Hirakud Dam Reservoir (HDR) stood at 607.6 feet against Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 630 feet when water from the dam was released first through the sluice Gate No. 7 at 10.15 am. Another sluice gate was opened after a gap of one hour.
The customary ‘puja’ was performed at the Spillway Control Room before the gates were opened amidst sound of siren.Chief Engineer of Hirakud Dam Project, Harmohan Pradhan, said there is no possibility of flood at the downstream as the riverbed of Mahanadi is empty.
He said that 30,000 cusec water is being released through the two sluice gates and it will take 72 hours to reach Mundali. The flow of water into the HDR was 97,000 cusec while the outflow was 25,000 cusec through power channel and canals before the first sluice gate was opened, he added.
The authorities have not taken any decision on further opening of the gates as of now. They will assess the situation and take a decision considering the flow into the reservoir, he added.As at 6 pm, the water level of HDR stood at 607.93 feet while the inflow was 89,246 cusec and the outflow was 55,221 cusec, including power channel and canals. The rainfall in the upstream of the dam in the last 24 hours has been recorded at 9.25 mm while it was 9.95 mm downstream. Despite the rain, hundreds of visitors witnessed the annual event with entry to the area prohibited on other days.