India, July 6 -- The Hirakud Dam authorities today released this year's first floodwater to manage rising water levels in the reservoir, following continuous rainfall and increased inflow from Chhattisgarh.

Initially, sluice gate number 7 was opened in the morning, and later, a total of 12 gates were opened to discharge the excess water. According to officials at the dam's control room, the water level in the reservoir stood at 609.54 feet at 9 AM.

At that time, the inflow into the reservoir was 1,30,028 cusecs, while the outflow stood at 38,164 cusecs. Of the total water released, 34,313 cusecs were discharged through the power channel for electricity generation, 3,223 cusecs for irrigation, and 234 cusecs were being drawn by industria...