Sambalpur: As many as three more gates of the Hirakud Dam in Odisha's Sambalpur district were opened today to release flood water.

The reservoir had yesterday released this year’s first flood water through five sluice gates.

With the opening of three more gates today, the total number of opened gates, through which flood water was being discharged, reached 8.

More gates were opened in view of the increase in rainfall in the upper catchment and subsequent rise in the water level of the dam.

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.

Ananda Chandra Sahoo, Chief engineer of Upper Mahanadi Basin, said the target is to maintain the water level at 605 feet by July 31. The dam has maximum capacity of 630 feet.

All 13 districts in the downstream of the dam have been asked to remain alert. However, there are no chances of flood as of now, said Sahoo.