Sambalpur: Hirakud dam will discharge this season’s first floodwater from the reservoir July 28, official sources said. The decision was taken after a steady rise in the water level of the reservoir following heavy rainfall upstream of the dam. This was stated here by a chief engineer (in-charge) of Mahanadi basin and basin manager Sushil Kumar Behera in a press release issued Thursday. He said floodwater will be released from the dam July 28 as per tradition.
As a result, the water level in Mahanadi and its distributaries will increase for which Collectors and District Magistrates have been told to remain on high alert. Residents living downstream have been warned to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their properties. People of downstream districts have been warned not to venture into the river for bathing or any other purpose during the period. During the discharge of floodwater, arrangements have been made to play the sirens on the left spillway of the dam continuously for two minutes to alert people. The water level of the Hirakud reservoir is increasing steadily due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area of Mahanadi and stood at 605.97 feet by 4pm, Thursday.
Over 2,14,742 cusec of floodwater was found entering the reservoir, Thursday. Similarly, 820 cusec of floodwater was being released through the power channel, industries and canals. However, the decision on the number of gates to be opened for the release of floodwater will be taken later on, stated the press release.