Sambalpur: The authorities of Hirakud dam in Sambalpur district on Sunday released the season’s first floodwater to downstream of river Mahanadi, an official said.
The water was released through seven gates following a steady rise in the water level in the reservoir due to rain in upstream of river Mahanadi, the official said.
A total of 20 of the 67 gates of the dam will be opened today in phased manner while 14 gates were opened in two phases at 9.30 am and 12.30 am, another six gates will be opened at 2.30 pm, said Water Resources engineer-in-chief Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty.
He said an alert has been sounded in districts downstream of Mahanadi.
“All the Water Resource Department officials have been asked to remain in their headquarters and keep a close watch on the situation,” he said.
Shri Mohanty claimed there is no fear of floods even as water is being released from the dam.
Due to opening of such gates, the Khairmal discharge would be around 4.50 lakh Cusecs on 29th July morning 8.00 AM and Mundali discharge would be around 5 lakh Cusecs by 30 July at 11.00 AM, officials said.
Meanwhile, office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) asks collectors of Sambalpur, Sonepur, Nayagarh, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada have been asked to alert the people downstream not to enter to the Mahanadi riverside.
Animals will also not be allowed to gaze close to the river. Collectors are also requested to remain alert and monitor the situation.
The District Emergency Operation Centre will also be manned by senior officers so that no untoward incident happens.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast that heavy rainfall will continue to lashBargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Nuapada, and Nabarangpur districts under the influence of the well-marked low pressure area that has moved to Gangetic West Bengal & adjoining north Odisha.