The Hirakud Dam would release the season’s first floodwaters on July 23, following heavy rains in the upper catcment areas of river Mahanadi.
The gates of the dam would be opened for discharge of flood waters any time after 10 am, informed Hirakud Dam Chief Engineer Harmohan Pradhan.
The district administrations of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Angul, Boudh, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Phulbani, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur and Puri have been asked to remain on alert following the release of flood water.