Odisha: Hirakud dam releases season’s first flood water

Sambalpur: As water level at Hirakud dam continues to rise due to heavy rainfall in upper catchment area of Mahanadi River, the authorities released season’s first flood water from the dam today.

The flood water was released at 11.24 am through number 7 sluice gate following rituals.

Currently, the water level at the reservoir stands at 618.21 ft against total storage capacity of 630 ft.

The water inflow into the dam is 1,40,784 cusec and outflow recorded 16,844.

The Hirakud dam authorities have also alerted all the departments concerned as well as district administration of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Angul, Boudh, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Phulbani, Khordha, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Puri to take necessary safety measures.

Last year, Hirakud Dam authorities had released the first flood on July 24 when the water level of was 618 ft.