In view of the increasing inflow of water into the Hirakud Dam reservoir following incessant rains in the upper catchment areas of Mahanadi river, the dam authorities opened four more gates to release the excess floodwater on Thursday morning. With the opening of the two sluice gates the floodwater is now being discharged through a total of six gates. The water level of the reservoir stood at 625.75 feet by 10 am on Thursday against its total storage capacity of 630 feet.
The average water inflow into the reservoir was recorded at 91,349 cusec while the outflow was 53,230 cusec.
Meanwhile, the status of the Rengali reservoir, also in Sambalpur district, was steady at 122.45 metre of water against its total level of 123.50 metre.