Bhubaneswar: The Water Resources Department on Sunday opened 28 gates of the Hirakud Dam to regulate rising inflows following heavy rainfall across the Upper Mahanadi Basin and several sub-basins of the Mahanadi river system.
The development followed the landfall of the deep depression between the night of September 23 and September 24, 2026, and its subsequent movement towards Chhattisgarh.
Heavy rainfall was recorded across the Upper Mahanadi Basin on September 25 and 26, with the basin receiving an average of 39.14 mm and 71.66 mm of rainfall, respectively.
Widespread heavy rainfall across various sub-basins increased inflows into the Seonath, Jonk, and other tributaries of the Mahanadi, resulting in a significant rise in water levels and discharge in several rivers.
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 subsequently released into the downstream basin.
With inflows into the Hirakud Reservoir rising, 20 gates of the Hirakud Dam were opened on September 26 to regulate the incoming water and create the required flood cushion for accommodating additional inflows.
The situation subsequently intensified at the Seorinarayan and Saradih gauge sites, where inflows increased further. After the discharge at the Saradih gauge site crossed 7 lakh cusecs, eight additional gates of Hirakud Dam were opened, taking the total number of operational gates to 28.
The gates are being operated with consideration for both dam safety and the need to minimise the impact of flooding in the downstream delta region.
As of Sunday, the water level of the Hirakud Reservoir stood at 628.35 feet, while 4,56,792 cusecs of water were being released through the 28 gates.
The Water Resources Department said it is continuously monitoring inflows, reservoir conditions, water levels, and gauge-site status across rivers and reservoirs. Field-level engineers and officials remain alert and are operating dams and barrages as required.
The department is also undertaking coordinated measures for regulated discharge and water management as the hydrological situation continues to evolve. Public safety and flood management remain the highest priorities while managing the increased inflows into the Mahanadi system.
