Sambalpur: Water penetration into the Hirakud is zero, An underwater survey will be held in January

Sambalpur: The water flow to the Hirakud reservoir has dried up. According to the information received from the Hirakud Dam control room, the average water inflow into the reservoir has negligible or zero cusecs between 26th Dec 8 am to 27th Dec 8 am. At that time, an average of 6,006 cusecs of water was released from the reservoir, out of which 4,753 cusecs was used for the power channel, 500 cusecs for the government canal, 66 cusecs for the Sambalpur distributary, 299 cusecs for the Industrial work, while 389 cusecs of water was evaporated.

At 8 am on the 27th Dec, the water level of the Hirakud reservoir was 627.23 feet. Of course, the inflow of water into the reservoir is negligible or nominal in the non-monsoon season. However, it does not become completely empty and is not considered a negligible amount in the current mathematical formula, said Anand Chandra Sahu, the Chief Engineer & Basin Manager Mahanadi Basin.

Experts will find and repair the cracks in the dam

In connection with the repair of the cracks in the Diamond Dam, Ing Sahu informed that the Central Soil and Materials Research Center (CSMRS) is investigating the submersible cracks. Surveys were also conducted through other private organizations. But the government wants to conduct the survey again through government agencies The Central Water and Power Research Center (CWPIRS) was initially requested for this but they said that they do not check the underwater part. A letter was then written to CSMRS. Talked to his concrete expert today. They will come this January and try to repair the minor cracks.

In the past, 1300 liters of water was leaking every minute through the big crack on the upper side of Hirakud Dam. After its renovation in 2002, water consumption was reduced by 90% to 130 liters per minute. An underwater survey was carried out in 2015-16 and the crack discovered, after its repair in 2018-19, water loss further decreased to 70 liters per minute. We aim to find and stop this 70 liter leakage but it has to be surveyed and checked in the water which will start soon. This crack is not alarming and it is not dangerous for the dam,” said Mr. Sahu.