The season’s first floodwater would be released from the Hirakud Dam on July 18. This is necessitated by the rise in the water-level in the reservoir due to the incessant rains in the upper catchment areas for the last few days.
.As per official sources, the excess water from the dam would be released through five sluice gates. There are 64 sluice gates including 24 on the right and 40 on the left side of the dam.
The gates of the dam would be opened at 11 am on Monday, the dam's Chief Engineer said on Saturday.
According to the Water Resources Department, the water level in the reservoir stood at 603.77 ft against the optimum level of 630 ft on Friday.
The dam authorities said that as the water-level of Mahanadi and its tributaries is expected to rise following the release of water from Hirakud, there is a need to create awareness among people so that they do not venture into these parts as a precautionary measure.