Sambalpur: In the wake of less rainfall in the upper catchment area of Mahanadi river, the water level in the Hirakud dam here is receding and the order has been issued for closure of six more sluice gates.
As many as 18 gates will remain open to release the excess floodwater to the Mahanadi, the dam authorities informed.
The water level has receded to 628.21 feet at 9 am on Saturday. The dam has the maximum water holding capacity of 630 feet.
The reservoir was receiving 3,56,967 cusec water from the upper catchment area and releasing 4,07,791 cusec water into Mahanadi.