Sambalpur: Hirakud dam in Odisha’s Sambalpur district registered a significant rise in water level as Chhattisgarh opened all 66 gates of Kalma Barrage on Mahanadi river, a source said Friday.
After the water was released, Hirakud’s inflow was at 71000 cusecs this morning at around 9am. According to the source, Hirakud’s water level is at 603.50 feet, and about 1.18 lakh cusec of water is entering Mahanadi through Kalma barrage.
The source further said that if heavy rains continue in the upper catchment, Hirakud dam authorities might consider releasing the flood water of the year through several sluice gates.
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It can be mentioned here that prior to the arrival of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, Chhattisgarh had opened the gates of the Kalma barrage. Odisha and Chhattisgarh have been at odds over the latter’s refusal to deliver water during the non-monsoon season. Odisha govt also accuses Chhattisgarh of failing to inform the state about water release schedule.
PNN