Sambalpur: With increase of water level at Hirakud dam following incessant rain in upper catchment areas of Mahanadi River, the authorities opened more gates to release excess floodwater from the reservoir.

Initially, sluice gate No. 7 was opened at 11.50 am, 20 minutes delay from the scheduled time. By 11.55 am, five gates were opened to release floodwater.

Total 16 sluice gates will be opened in phases on Thursday, a day after releasing season's first floodwater from the dam.

Currently, water inflow into the Hirakud dam was registered 2,60,000 cusec while outflow was 15,294 cusec. The flow of water at Khairmal stands at 3.35 lakh cusec, informed Water Resources Secretary Pradip Jena.

On Wednesday, the floodwater was released for the first time this year through one gate after the water level crossed 618 ft against storage capacity of 630 ft.