Burla: Following incessant rain in the upper catchment region, the inflow of rainwater into Hirakud dam is on the rise in Odisha’s Sambalpur district. The dam authorities today opened a total of 14 sluice gates to release excess water.

A senior official said that the water level of Hirkud dam stood at 628.69ft earlier in the day. There is an average inflow of around 1,49,167 Cusecs while the outflow is 2,02,769 Cusecs, an official said.

The outflow of rainwater at the spillway is 1,63,410 Cusecs and at the power channel is 35,455 Cusecs.

Initially, 10 sluice gates were opened for the purpose of releasing excess rainwater and four more were opened later on. At least nine gates were opened on the left side and five gates on the right.

The outflow of rainwater in Belgaon was recorded at 30,500 Cusecs; in Patharla 78,433 Cusecs; in Khairamal 1,46,000 Cusecs; in Barmul 90,000 Cusecs and in Mundali 92,600 Cusecs, the official added.

Worth mentioning, IMD regional centre in its mid-day bulletin said that the southwest monsoon has been vigorous in Odisha. Light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur in most places of Odisha districts. The IMD issued a Red Warning in six districts of the State for the next 24 hours.