Hirakud Dam Opens Eight Gates Amid Rising Inflow

Authorities at Hirakud Dam opened eight sluice gates on Wednesday morning to discharge excess water from the reservoir.

Five gates on the left spillway and three on the right were lifted at 9 am, following rising inflow levels.

At the time of release, the reservoir stood at 614.31 feet.

The average inflow was recorded at 1,00,581 cusecs, while the outflow reached 1,56,753 cusecs.

Of this, 1,21,760 cusecs were discharged through the spillway, 30,987 cusecs via the power channel, 229 cusecs for industrial use, and 3,777 cusecs through canals.

Downstream discharge levels were reported as 21,500 cusecs at Belgaon, 40,934 cusecs at Patharla, 2,37,000 cusecs at Khairmal, 2,83,000 cusecs at Barmul, and 3,94,384 cusecs at Mundali.

Rainfall added further pressure, with Hirakud recording 24.4 mm and Burla 12.8 mm.

Officials assured that flood management protocols are in place to balance reservoir safety with downstream flow.