SAMBALPUR: Hirakud Dam authorities will release the season’s first flood water from the dam on July 24. Chief Engineer of Upper Mahanadi Basin, Burla, Jyotirmaya Rath said water will be released at 11 am but decision has not been taken on how many gates would be opened or quantity of water to be released. Upstream of the dam has received good rainfall and water level is also increasing. The upstream is likely to receive heavy rainfall between July 20 and 25. Hence, water will be released to manage the flood water, which will enter the reservoir, he said. Water level stood at 607.87 feet at 12 pm on Friday. released the first flood water from the reservoir on July 23.