Sambalpur: The Hirakud Dam in Odisha's Sambalpur district will release this year's first flood water on July 23 at 9 am, concerned authorities said today.

The decision regarding opening of the gates of the reservoir has been taken in view of the heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas and subsequent rise in the water level of the dam.

Till last reports came in, the water level at the reservoir was 611.52 feet while the maximum capacity of the dam is 630 feet.

The water inflow stood at 1.40 lakh Cusec while the outflow was 40,000 Cusec, leading to gradual spike in the water level.

The Mahanadi river and its distributaries are all set to witness increase in water level in lower catchments after opening of the dam gates, for which the authorities have advised the people of concerned areas to take precautionary measures while going to the water bodies.