Sambalpur: June 25: Hirakud Dam released first phase of flood water into Mahanadi River on Thursday. Floodwaters were released through ten sluice gates of the dam. First, flood waters were released through gate 7 and then through nine more sluice gates. The process started at around 10am on Thursday. This is the season’s first floodwater release. Usually, Hirakud Dam starts releasing the flood water in the month of August. But, due to good rainfall in the upper catchment areas, flood waters were discharged much before the usual time.
