The Hirakud Dam authorities on Friday opened six more slice gates. The dam is now discharging excess water from the reservoir through 20 gates.
Sambalpur Collector Ananya Das said heavy rains at the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi have made the Hirakud reservoir receive a lot of water which is being released now.
“Major populated areas near the dam are being alerted through sirens. It is usually done two hours before the gates are opened. We are also alerting the people through loud speakers urging them to come back from the downstream areas.” Das said.
Apart from the Mahanadi, other rivers too received waters as the low pressure-induced rains made some rivers swell across the State.
However, Water Resources Department Engineer-in-Chief Bijay Kumar Mishra said, “Though there are heavy rains over past few days, almost all the rivers are flowing below the danger levels except for the Jalaka river.”
Mishra said the administration is ready for any eventualities.
“Total 3.47 lakh cusecs of water is currently passing through the Mundali barrage. This is hardly a threat. I think by the time the water from Hirakud reaches Cuttack, the current water flow caused by rains would have been reduced. So I do not think there will be any flood situation for now. However, we must remain alert.” Mishra said.
