📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Quarterbacker
Weather
Hirakud Reservoir Opens 8 Gates to Release Rising Floodwater
✍️ Pragativadi
🗓 26 Jul 2026, 07:07 PM
👁 5
The Hirakud Reservoir in Odisha has opened eight of its gates to release floodwater as inflow levels rise.
The Hirakud Reservoir, situated on the Mahanadi River in western Odisha, has opened eight of its gates to release floodwater amid rising inflow levels.
The reservoir, the largest earthen dam in India, serves multiple purposes including irrigation, hydroelectric power generation and flood control for the surrounding region.
After continuous monitoring indicated that water levels were nearing critical thresholds, authorities decided to open the gates to lower the reservoir’s level and prevent overtopping.
The release is expected to reduce water levels by a few meters, thereby mitigating flood risk for downstream communities. Officials will continue to monitor the situation and adjust gate operations as required.
The reservoir, the largest earthen dam in India, serves multiple purposes including irrigation, hydroelectric power generation and flood control for the surrounding region.
After continuous monitoring indicated that water levels were nearing critical thresholds, authorities decided to open the gates to lower the reservoir’s level and prevent overtopping.
The release is expected to reduce water levels by a few meters, thereby mitigating flood risk for downstream communities. Officials will continue to monitor the situation and adjust gate operations as required.