Flood Alert: Mahanadi swells at Mundali after Hirakud water reaches Cuttack
Water level of Mahanadi rises at Mundali in Cuttack as floodwater from Hirakud dam, released through 22 gates, reaches the barrage.
Water level of the Mahanadi River is rising at Mundali in Cuttack on Sunday, after floodwater released from the Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur reached the Mundali barrage following a downstream journey of nearly 40 hours. The discharge, released through 22 sluice gates opened in phases on Friday, is intended to control accumulating water in the reservoir.
As of 9:00 am on Sunday, floodwater was flowing through Mundali at a rate of 573,475 cusecs. Official measurements recorded the water level at 89.10 feet on the upstream side and 86.50 feet on the downstream side of the barrage.
River monitoring indicated that the water level in the Mahanadi has been rising steadily again since around 3:00 am late Saturday night, officials said.
Why were the Hirakud dam gates opened?
The 22 gates at the Hirakud Dam were opened in phases on Friday to release excess water accumulating in the reservoir due to rainfall in the upper catchment areas. Dam authorities stated that the phase-wise opening was intended to control the flood situation and avoid further damage downstream. The decision came after continuous inflow following heavy rainfall pushed water into the dam, with reports confirming an inflow rate of 369,322 cusecs into the reservoir.
What was the reservoir capacity?
As of 6:00 am on July 31, the water level in the Hirakud Reservoir stood at 623.52 feet against its full storage capacity of 630 feet. This left a gap of 6.48 feet before the reservoir would reach full capacity. The rising water level prompted dam authorities to open the sluice gates in a staggered manner to discharge excess water safely downstream. The released water traveled nearly 40 hours before arriving at the Mundali barrage, where it began to increase the river's flow and elevate the water level observed on Sunday morning.
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Why is the Mahanadi river swelling at Mundali?
The Mahanadi river is swelling at Mundali because floodwater released from the Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur reached the Mundali barrage after traveling downstream for nearly 40 hours.
How many gates of Hirakud dam have been opened?
A total of 22 sluice gates at the Hirakud Dam have been opened in phases to release excess water.
When were the Hirakud dam gates opened?
The gates were opened in phases on Friday, two days prior to the water reaching Mundali.
What is the current water flow rate at Mundali?
As of 9:00 am on Sunday, floodwater was flowing through Mundali at a rate of 573,475 cusecs.
What were the water levels measured at Mundali barrage?
Official measurements recorded the water level at 89.10 feet on the upstream side and 86.50 feet on the downstream side of the barrage.
What was the water level in Hirakud reservoir before the gate opening?
As of 6:00 am on July 31, the water level in the Hirakud Reservoir stood at 623.52 feet against its full storage capacity of 630 feet.
What was the inflow rate into Hirakud reservoir?
Reports confirmed an inflow rate of 369,322 cusecs into the Hirakud reservoir.
Why were the gates opened in phases?
Dam authorities opened the gates in a phase-wise manner to control the flood situation and avoid further damage downstream.
Debraj Meher
District Correspondent, Sambalpur
Debraj Meher reports on Sambalpur district's civic affairs, the Hirakud dam command area, and the region's handloom economy. He has been the Mirror's Sambalpur correspondent since 2021.
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