The Hirakud Dam authorities have opened three more sluice gates as continued rainfall in the reservoir’s catchment areas pushed water inflow higher. With the latest opening, a total of 10 gates are now releasing water from the Hirakud reservoir into the Mahanadi River.
Seven gates were already open before the latest decision. Three additional gates were opened on Tuesday as the water level continued to rise, according to reports from Odisha.
Hirakud Dam Opens Three More Gates
The current arrangement includes seven open gates on the left side and three on the right side of the dam. The additional openings are intended to manage the increasing inflow into the reservoir following rainfall across the upper catchment areas.
The decision comes as rainfall continues to influence water levels in the Hirakud reservoir and the wider Mahanadi basin. Authorities are monitoring the inflow and rainfall conditions while releasing excess water through the dam’s sluice gates.
Recent reports also indicated notable rainfall in areas around the reservoir. Burla recorded 58.6 mm of rain and Hirakud received 43.5 mm, while the average rainfall in the upstream catchment was reported at 40.17 mm.
Water Release Into the Mahanadi
The opening of the gates means water is currently being released from Hirakud into the Mahanadi. The number of operational gates can change depending on reservoir inflow, rainfall and water-management requirements.
The Hirakud reservoir is a major water-management system on the Mahanadi and its gate operations are closely watched during periods of substantial rainfall. The present release is therefore part of ongoing reservoir management as inflows increase.
The latest development also comes amid wider rainfall-related concerns in Odisha. Reports on Tuesday said water levels in several rivers were rising in parts of the state following heavy rainfall, with authorities monitoring the situation in affected areas.
For people living along the Mahanadi and downstream areas, changes in dam releases remain important because the volume of water flowing through the river system can change as reservoir operations respond to incoming water.
At present, 10 Hirakud Dam gates are open — seven on the left side and three on the right side — with water being released into the Mahanadi. Authorities are continuing to watch rainfall and inflow conditions to determine further reservoir-management measures.
The situation around the Hirakud Dam remains closely linked to rainfall in the upper catchment, and further changes in gate operations will depend on how water inflow and reservoir levels develop.
