Sambalpur: The Hirakud Dam authorities today released this year’s first floodwater to manage rising water levels in the reservoir, following continuous rainfall and increased inflow from Chhattisgarh.

Initially, sluice gate number 7 was opened in the morning, and later, a total of 12 gates were opened to discharge the excess water. According to officials at the dam's control room, the water level in the reservoir stood at 609.54 feet at 9 AM.

At that time, the inflow into the reservoir was 1,30,028 cusecs, while the outflow stood at 38,164 cusecs. Of the total water released, 34,313 cusecs were discharged through the power channel for electricity generation, 3,223 cusecs for irrigation, and 234 cusecs were being drawn by industrial units.

For irrigation purposes, water was released into the Bargarh main canal (2,755 cusecs), Sasan main canal (400 cusecs), and Sambalpur distributary (68 cusecs).

The rising water level in the Mahanadi river system was also attributed to the opening of 46 gates of the Kalma Barrage in Chhattisgarh last Thursday. With the remaining gates of the barrage also opened later, water flow into the Mahanadi has increased significantly.

Notably, last year the first floodwater release from Hirakud took place on July 28 when the reservoir level was 617.29 feet.

With the current release, water levels in the Mahanadi and its tributaries downstream of the dam are expected to rise. As a precautionary measure, the Chief Engineer of the Mahanadi basin has advised the public to remain alert and avoid entering rivers or engaging in any related activities.