Sambalpur: A day after opening one sluice gate temporarily, Hirakud dam authorities Thursday opened 16 gates owing to rapidly increasing water level in the reservoir.
With heavy rains in the upper catchment area of Mahanadi and rising inflow of water, authorities opened 16 gates in phases to release the flood water into the Mahanadi river.
The water level in Mahanadi river basin has been increasing following the release of water leading to fears of flood downstreams.
Notably, number seven gate of the dam was opened Wednesday to release flood water at 11.30am. It was shut at 2:00pm the same day. However, constantly increasing water level in the reservoir later caused the authority to open 16 gates in phases beginning 11:30am Thursday.
The reservoir authorities had earlier informed the administration of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Angul, Boudh, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Phulbani, Khordha, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts asking them to take precautionary measures in view of inevitable rise in water level of the river. A review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had also asked concerned district collectors to ensure proper patrolling and to remain prepared for floods.
PNN