Sambalpur: The Hirakud dam authorities Sunday reopened eight sluice gates in phases after a sharp rise in the inflow of floodwater into the reservoir, taking the total number of gates releasing excess water into the Mahanadi River to 28.
Nineteen gates on the left side and nine on the right side of the Hirakud dam are open. According to information from the reservoir’s meteorological control room, the upper catchment of the reservoir recorded 2.13 mm of rainfall and the lower catchment received 5.38 mm during the past 24 hours.
The latest data released by the Hirakud dam authorities at 6:30 pm showed that the reservoir’s water level had risen slightly to 628.39 feet. At the time, the reservoir was receiving an average inflow of 5,22,992 cusec, while the total outflow stood at 4,93,576 cusec.
Of the total discharge, 4,56,876 cusec was being released through the 28 sluice gates. Another 32,291 cusec was being released through the power channel for electricity generation.
The remaining discharge included 3,583 cusec through the Baragada canal, 500 cusec through the Sasan canal, 105 cusec through the Sambalpur canal and 221 cusec for Industrial use.