Sambalpur: Hirakud dam released season's first floodwater into Mahanadi river on Thursday.

The floodwater was discharged from sluice gate No.7 at 10.00 AM from the reservoir following traditional religious rituals by the Hirakud dam authorities.

The authorities decided to release floodwater after the water level at the dam crossed 618 ft due to heavy rainfall in upper catchment areas of Mahanadi River.

Currently, the water is being discharged through 4 gates. Later in the day, the floodwater will be released through 10 gates in phases.

Hirakud Dam is built over the Mahanadi River in Sambalpur district of Odisha. It is the longest earthen dam in the world. There are 64 sluice gates in the dam and each sluice gate has the capacity to discharge 16,440 cusec of water when the water level stands at 630 ft in the reservoir.