Sambalpur : The water level of Hirakud reservoir finally reached maximum water level (MWL) of 630 feet.
It was a herculean task for the dam authorities towards end of the monsoon year to manage the water level and quantity due to unexpected rain caused by cyclone Gulab which triggered incessant rains both in up and down stream of the reservoir.
But things have came to a satisfactory situation after the rain stopped and it was easier for the authorities here to manage the water level.
For last 15 days, two to six sluice gates of the main dam were kept open to release the extra flood water.
Chief engineer of the dam project Anand Chandra Sahu said any excessive rain could have caused a threat as the water holding capacity of the reservoir was at the maximum point.
Fortunately this did not happen and due to wise management and the water level remained at 630 feet.
“Since the inflow is very less at 27,420 cusecs, all the sluice gates have been closed to store water for the coming nine months for all purposes with irrigation to the command area as priority,”Mr.Sahu said.
No water is released to river Mahanadi through sluice gates, 27,620 cusecs water is however released through Bargarh and Sasan canals, Hirakud distributory, and for the local industries,the Dam chief engineer said adding that the inflow and outflow are kept equal.
He said the forecast of the met department for a low pressure and subsequent rain in the coming days might, create problem for the dam authorities.
“But we are keeping close watch on it and will plan accordingly to maintain the water level in the Dam,” the chief engineer said.
