No threat to Hirakud Dam, says Government

BHUBANESWAR: As Hirakud reservoir was inching close to its full level, the State Government on Friday allayed fears of any danger to the dam. With heavy inflow of water from Chhattisgarh, the reservoir level stood at 629.08 ft against the full reservoir level of 630 ft.The inflow into the dam was standing at 10.61 lakh cusec after reaching a peak of 11.07 lakh cusec during the day.The influx of water from upstream had prompted the dam authorities to open 55 sluice gates (out of a total 64) and four crest (out of 34).Although the inflow has been huge over the last 12 hours, there is no threat to the dam, Water Resources Department Secretary SC Mohapatra said.“We expect the inflow as well as water level to steady now,” he said. In 1980, the State Government had to open 84 gates of Hirakud and two years later, 76 gates were opened following the heavy floods.Since the inflow is huge, the dam authorities had to maintain the level by discharge as much water downstream.As per the blue book, the dam authorities have to keep at least four gates on either side of the walls of the dam to prevent any damage to the gates.“During heavy inflow, a pattern of vertex takes place towards the side walls of the dam. If the sluice gates located to the walls are opened, trees swept by the flood can cause severe damage to the gates which is why we keep them closed even during floods as a measure of safety,” senior officials of Water Resources Department said.Mohapatra said, any decision to open more gates will be taken after recording the inflow pattern. In the morning, the inflow had jumped to 11.07 lakh cusec but dropped to 10.61 lakh cusec.“We are closely monitoring the situation,” he said.