Hirakud Opens 28 Gates as Heavy Rainfall Drives Up Mahanadi Inflows

Bhubaneswar: The Water Resources Department has opened 28 gates of the Hirakud Dam to regulate rising inflows following heavy rainfall across the Upper Mahanadi Basin and its tributaries over the past two days.

The basin recorded an average rainfall of 39.14 mm on September 25 and 71.66 mm on September 26, following the movement of the Deep Depression that made landfall between the night of September 23 and September 24 and subsequently moved towards Chhattisgarh.

The widespread rainfall led to increased inflows into the Seonath, Jonk and other tributaries of the Mahanadi, resulting in a rise in water levels and discharge at several locations across the river system.

Heavy rainfall in the catchment of Ravishankar Sagar, also known as Gangrel Dam, further increased inflows into the reservoir. Around 2.50 lakh cusecs of water was released from the reservoir into the downstream basin, adding to the inflow pressure in the Mahanadi system.

With inflows into Hirakud Reservoir increasing, 20 gates were initially opened on September 26 to create the required flood cushion and accommodate additional water. As discharge at the Saradih gauge site crossed 7 lakh cusecs, eight more gates were subsequently opened.

The 28 gates are currently being operated to regulate inflows and maintain the reservoir at a safe and controlled level. The reservoir water level currently stands at 628.35 feet, while 4,56,792 cusecs of water is being released through the open gates.

The department said gate operations are being managed by balancing the safety of Hirakud Dam with the need to minimise the impact of flooding in the downstream delta region.

Water levels, inflows and gauge readings across rivers and reservoirs are being monitored round the clock. Field-level engineers and officials have been kept on alert, with dam and barrage gates being operated as required based on the changing hydrological conditions.

The Water Resources Department said it is continuing coordinated monitoring and water-management measures to regulate the increased inflows and minimise the possible impact of flooding, with public safety and flood management being given the highest priority.