Hirakud Dam Opens Four More Gates Amid Rising Floodwater Levels
Sambalpur, Odisha — In response to surging reservoir levels triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall, authorities at Hirakud Dam have opened four additional sluice gates, bringing the total number of open gates to ten.
This strategic move is part of Odisha’s standard flood management protocol aimed at preventing overflow and ensuring the structural integrity of one of Asia’s longest earthen dams.
Engineers initiated the controlled discharge as the reservoir neared full capacity, prompting the local administration to issue alerts to downstream regions.
Residents have been advised to remain vigilant as river levels may rise in the coming days.
Disaster response teams are on standby, and officials are closely monitoring the situation to mitigate potential risks. The gate operations are expected to continue until water levels stabilize.
Hirakud Dam plays a critical role in flood control and irrigation across Odisha, and its seasonal gate management remains a key component of the state’s monsoon preparedness strategy.
