The Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, June 17: A team of officials of the National Dam Safety Review Panel today visited the Hirakud Hydroelectric Project at Burla to inspect the seepages in the Hirakud dam.

The team, headed by panel chairman A.D. Mohile, visited the 2.5-km longest earthen dam in the sub-continent. This is the second visit by the high-level officials following reports of seepage.

Mohile said there were two to three leakages, which did not pose any serious threat to the structure and would not affect power generation. However, he said the team would submit its report to the authorities suggesting necessary measures to strengthen the structure built in the 60s.

Expert committee member Suresh Chandra said arrangement of drainage gallery was made in the dam to release additional water. However, because of the leakages, more water is being released here. The team will submit its report to the dam safety organisation within five to six days.

The leakages were noticed during the annual inspection of the Hirakud Hydroelectric Project. Profuse seepage was observed in the inspection Gallery at EL-470 of the power dam from upstream of the Hirakud reservoir. A report was submitted to the principal secretary of the energy department for necessary action. “The report mentioned that additional pumping arrangement was also not capable to clear the leakage of water, which stands at six-inch high on the floor. It also mentioned that a lot of water potential was being wasted, which could have been used for power generation,” sources said.