Hirakud Dam to release 3.5 lakh cusecs via 22 gates in Odisha floods
Hirakud Dam will release 3.5 lakh cusecs through 22 gates by evening due to rising inflows from Chhattisgarh, affecting downstream areas and nearly seven lakh people across 20 districts.
On Friday, July 31, 2026, Hirakud Dam authorities in Sambalpur will discharge approximately 3.5 lakh cusecs of water through 22 gates by evening after heavy inflow from the Mahanadi’s upper catchment in Chhattisgarh forced the opening of 14 gates and prompted plans for eight more. Engineer-in-Chief Dillip Kumar Rout said the discharge aims to manage rising reservoir levels, which stood at 624.10 feet against a full capacity of 630 feet, while inflow measured 3.86 lakh cusecs at 9 am. The move is expected to ease pressure on the reservoir and regulate downstream flow.
What are the current inflow and reservoir levels?
The reservoir’s water level stood at 624.10 feet against its full reservoir level of 630 feet, while inflow was recorded at approximately 3.86 lakh cusecs at 9 am. Engineer-in-Chief Dillip Kumar Rout said the Mahanadi is currently carrying 5.27 lakh cusecs of water at Khairmal. After the additional discharge from Hirakud reaches downstream, the flow at Khairmal is expected to rise to around 7.5 lakh cusecs.
How will the increased discharge affect downstream areas?
The discharge will increase to approximately 3.5 lakh cusecs once 22 gates are opened, as stated by Engineer-in-Chief Dillip Kumar Rout. He added that floodwaters have entered the Daya and Kushabhadra rivers, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Notably, the rising waters have caused several tributaries such as the Luna, Karandia, Chitrotpala, Paika, Salia, Devi, Kandala, Kuakhai, Kushabhadra, Daya and Bhargavi to overflow, affecting nearly seven lakh people across 20 districts. Rout informed that seven embankment breaches have been reported due to the floods, with no breach in the Mahanadi river system, and repairs will be taken up after floodwaters recede.
What is the expected flow at Mundali and the rainfall situation?
Flood discharge at Mundali had peaked at 8.88 lakh cusecs on Thursday evening. The flow has since reduced to 8.65 lakh cusecs and is expected to fall below 7.5 lakh cusecs by Saturday morning. Water levels at Mundali near Cuttack are similarly expected to recede below 7 lakh cusecs by Saturday morning. Meanwhile, the absence of rainfall over the past 24 hours in both Odisha and the upper catchment areas has brought some relief, though the state remains on high alert for a medium flood in the Mahanadi system.
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What caused the Hirakud Dam authorities to increase water discharge?
Heavy inflow from the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh forced the authorities to discharge over 2 lakh cusecs through 14 gates, with eight more gates likely to be opened.
How many gates will be opened and what will be the discharge volume?
Twenty-two gates will be opened, increasing discharge to approximately 3.5 lakh cusecs.
What were the reservoir level and inflow measurements at 9 am on Friday, July 31, 2026?
The reservoir’s water level stood at 624.10 feet against its full reservoir level of 630 feet, while inflow was recorded at approximately 3.86 lakh cusecs at 9 am.
What impact is expected downstream after the additional discharge?
The flow at Khairmal is expected to rise to around 7.5 lakh cusecs, floodwaters have entered the Daya and Kushabhadra rivers, and tributaries have overflowed, affecting nearly seven lakh people across 20 districts.
What is the status of embankments and rainfall relief?
Seven embankment breaches have been reported, none in the Mahanadi river system, repairs will be taken up after floodwaters recede, and the absence of rainfall over the past 24 hours has brought some relief while the state remains on high alert.
What are the expected changes in flow at Mundali by Saturday morning?
Flood discharge at Mundali is expected to fall below 7.5 lakh cusecs and water levels to recede below 7 lakh cusecs by Saturday morning.
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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