Sambalpur: A preliminary report of the investigation into the safety of the Hirakud dam that was conducted March 19 was released Tuesday.
The investigation was conducted with the help of a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) to detect cracks in seven units of the dam.
Alex Verghese, engineering geophysics head of the Central Soil and Material Research Station (CSMRS) that functions under the Union water resources department, sent a three-page report to the dam’s executive engineer Yashobant Parida through email Monday. The report was prepared on the basis of several photographs taken of the seven units of the power dam. Around 32 compact discs (CDs) were needed to store all the pictures taken of the dam, it is learnt.
The report which was prepared after analysis of the stones, concrete and main gate of the power dam indicates that the dam is safe. However, this is not the final report and further research is on. A final report would be generated after an in-depth, exhaustive analysis, Hirakud dam chief engineer Biswajit Mohanty said quoting Verghese.
Authorities are yet to receive a spillway survey report of the dam. “We cannot say Hirakud dam is out of danger just on the basis of a preliminary report. The status would be known after the final reports of spillway survey and power dam are available,” Mohanty added.
It may be noted that a Central team of experts scanned 40 sluice gates of left spillway and 24 sluice gates of right spillway for 20 days starting from December 7, 2015 using ROV. Similarly, the team also started the scanning process of unit-7 of power dam when the ROV reaches there March 19. CSMRS engineering geophysics head Verghese was part of the three-member team. PNN
