With opening of more gates of Hirakud Dam to release excess water, the Mahanadi is likely to swell while a low to medium flood is expected, said Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena on Wednesday. As per latest information, water was being released from reservoir through 18 sluice gates as 12 more gates were opened on Wednesday. The SRC said that around 7 lakh cusec water is likely to pass at Mundali barrage. However, the situation won’t be critical in low-lying areas. At 12 noon, the reservoir level in Hirakud Dam was 628.23 feet against a full reservoir level of 630 feet. It has been decided to keep water level at 628 feet, Jena said. The inflow and outflow were 2,58,590 cusec and 2,25,557 cusec, respectively, at noon. On other hand, the Mahanadi was flowing at 25.75 feet at Naraj against danger level of 26.41. The Baitarani was flowing at 18.32 feet at Akhuapada against danger mark of 17.83. The water level in the Jalaka river was recorded at 6.56 feet at Mathani against danger level of 5.50.