Water being released from the Hirakud dam on Thursday. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar/Sambalpur: July 24: A cyclonic circulation has been formed over northwest of the Bay of Bengal which will become a low pressure system in next four days and cause heavy rainfall in the state after July 27.

However, officials of the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre have warned against any panic reactions. Though it would rain at a few places from tomorrow, but the amount of rainfall would increase from Sunday. There are chances of heavy rainfall after July 28 and may continue for three to four days, said an official.

Director in charge of the local Met centre Sharat Sahu said a cyclonic circulation had been formed. “But, it is in the early stage and a bit weak. So, there is no chance of it causing any big threat though it would bring heavy rain from Sunday onwards,” said Sahu.

Besides, the rainfall that had occurred last week across the state compensated for the heavy rain deficit that was reported till June 30. By that time, the state had received only 92.2mm rainfall in this rains — which was 57 per cent less than usual. Even seven days ago, the deficit was on the negative side with 32 per cent less rainfall. By July 18, the state had got 275.3mm rainfall against the average of 402.0mm.

The Met director said that last week’s heavy rainfall had brought the rainfall to normality. By July 22, the rainfall was 456.8mm, which was 1 per cent more than usual.

In the past two days, due to no rainfall the amount has gone to the negative side. By today, the state has got 3 per cent less rainfall.

The percentage of rainfall is calculated taking the average rainfall during the monsoon from 1951 to 2013.

“Till now it has been normal rainfall in the state and whatever deficit exists there it will be wiped out soon with heavy rainfall expected by next seven days,” said a Met centre official.

In another development, the Hirakud Dam today released this season’s first water. The water level of the reservoir stood at 619.17 feet when water was released through the sluice gate No. 7 of the dam. Subsequently, other sluice gates were opened to release the water. The danger level here is 630 feet.

Chief engineer of the dam Biswajit Mohanty said 20 sluice gates were opened by today evening. “The inflow of water to the dam is six lakh cusec now and 3.10 lakh cusec water will be released to the downstream through all these sluice gates. Al these gates will be opened for 48 hours to maintain the water level between 610 feet and 615 feet,” said Mohanty, adding that it would not cause flood in the downstream.

There are 64 sluice gates — 24 on the right side and 40 on the left of the dam — to release floodwater. Each sluice gate has the capacity to discharge 16,440 cusecs of water. Besides, there are 34 crest gates — 13 on the right side and 21 on the left. Each crest gate has the potential to discharge 16,238 cusecs of water. The total length of the main dam is about 4.840km, connecting Burla on the right with the Hirakud town on the left.