Odisha: Water Level of Hirakud Dam Decreasing Due to Inadequate Rainfall

Sambalpur: The water level of Hirakud reservoir, Odisha’s lifeline over Mahanadi River is decreasing due to inadequate rainfall.

As per reports, the water level at the dam was at 599.33 feet as on July 21 this year compared to 607.42 feet on July 21 in the previously year.

The flow of water into the reservoir was only 2,965 cusec and the outflow was 17,856 cusec through canals, power channel besides water for industries.

The declining water level at the reservoir may affect the hydroelectric power generation in Odisha, sources said.

The Hirakud reservoir received just 175 mm rain in its upper catchment area in July, nearly 50 per cent less from the previous year.  The average rainfall on the upstream of the dam in July is 350 mm. However, gates of all barrages in neighbouring Chhattisgarh have been opened, sources said.

The maximum storage capacity of the reservoir is 630 feet while its dead level for agriculture and power generation is 590 feet and for industries, it is 595 feet.

Notably, the monsoon season’s first flood water from Hirakud dam was released on July 24 last year when the water level stood at 618 feet and in 2017, the first flood water was released from the dam on July 23. The water level stood at 607.6 feet on that day.