Sambalpur: Floodwater Release at Hirakud Dam; Public Flocks to Witness the Spectacle
Sambalpur: For the first time this year, Hirakud Dam released floodwater at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. The release involved opening 20 gates. Prior announcements had been made to inform the public of this event. As a result, an uncontrollable crowd gathered on the nearby embankment to witness the gate opening.
Crowd Gathers to Witness the Event
People from all over the district gathered at the dam to watch the gates open. Many people shared this spectacle with their loved ones via video calls. Some went live on social media, while others used WhatsApp and Instagram to document the event. People were taking selfies and videos of the floodwaters being released.
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Media Restrictions and Public Access
Previously, the media was able to cover floodwater release events at Hirakud Dam. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, dam authorities have limited media access, citing safety concerns. Despite this, many people, including relatives of dam officials and workers, could access the area freely. These individuals posted videos on social media, raising concerns about the fairness of the restrictions.
People Remain in the River Despite Warnings
Many people remained in the river after the floodwaters were released. While police were stationed on the dam, those below admired the approaching floodwaters. Some even set up fishing netting. They did not seem deterred by the presence of the police. When the floodwaters reached them, they hurried up to the dam. Surprisingly, the police concentrated on managing the crowd on the dam rather than removing people from the river, leaving many perplexed.
