Hirakud dam opens 5 sluice gates to release excess water

Sambalpur: With rise in water level at Hirakud reservoir m following incessant rain in upper catchment area of the Mahanadi river, the dam authorities today opened five sluice gates to release excess water.

The dam authorities opened five sluice gates (left 3 and right 2) of the reservoir after its water level reached above 605 ft against optimum level of 630 ft.

During the last  24 hours, upstream of the dam received average 19.85 mm rainfall and the downstream 15.25 mm rainfall.

Dam Chief Engineer said five more gates will be opened in the second phase and sirens have been turned on to alert about phase-wise opening of sluice gates.