Sambalpur: In a major relief for low-lying areas in Odisha, water inflow to the Hirakud reservoir declined owing to reduced rainfall activity in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi river system. The upstream areas received rainfall of less than 1 mm resulting in less inflow of floodwater to world's longest earthen dam.

On Wednesday morning at 9 am, when Hirakud Dam's water level stood at 626.47 ft, the inflow was 6,24, 254 cusec against the outflow at 6,81,431 cusec. Consequently, the reservoir's water level dipped to 625.85 ft in the night. When the water inflow to the dam was 5,36,761 cusec, the outflow was recorded at 6,76,528 cusec including release of 6,45,760 cusec through 40 sluice gates and 28,095 cusec through power channels in the Mahanadi. For irrigation, 2,421 cusec water was diverted into canals. In the downstream of the reservoir, water was flowing at 39,400 cusec at Belgaon, 1,30,397 cusec  at Parthala, 9,30,0000 cusec at Khairmal, 9,27,000 cusec at Baramula and 10,41,911 cusec at Mundali.

Notably, as many as 40 sluice gates were opened to discharge excess floodwater. As the inflow registered a remarkable decline, the authorities today decided to close eight gates. Currently, water is being discharged from 32 sluice gates. Four more gates will be closed by today evening, official sources said.

The closure of more gates is expected in the coming days, provided neighbouring Chhattisgarh does not receive any more rainfall. On the other hand, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in Odisha districts in the coming days under the influence of low pressure in the Bay of Bengal. The Regional MeT office has issued red warning for two districts -- Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj-- for tomorrow. Besides, it has issued forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts of Odisha in the next two days.

The weathermen predicted heavy rain activity at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Bargarh today.