Flood Update: Hirakud Dam Authority Opens 44 Sluice Gates, Mahanadi Flows above Danger Mark at Naraj

Bhubaneswar: With the opening of 44 sluice gates of the Hirakud dam following heavy rain in the upper catchment areas, the river Mahanadi flows above the danger mark at Naraj in Cuttack district today.

While the maximum storage capacity of the Hirakud dam is 630 fts, the water level now stands at 626.8 fts.

Meanwhile, the Met Department has predicted heavy rain in various parts of the state from September 1.

1276 villages in 54 blocks of ten districts including Angul, Balangir, Balasore, Boudh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Nuapada, Deogarh, and Sonepur have been affected so far in the flood, the initial damage assessment report of the state government said.

A total of 415817 people have affected due to the flood. As many as 383046 people of 552 villages have been marooned, the report said.