Following continuous rainfall over the past two to three days, water levels in rivers flowing into Loktak Lake surged, leading to rising pressure on the Ithai Barrage.
As a result, authorities today opened three of the barrage’s gates to manage the situation.
Earlier, all five gates of the NHPC-operated Ithai Barrage had remained closed. However, with rainfall intensifying and upstream inflow increasing, overflow was observed as early as May 27.
To prevent further rise in water levels and ensure safety, gate number 3 was opened at around 12:20 AM today, followed by gates number 2 and 4 at approximately 5:30 AM.
According to NHPC sources, the upstream water level currently stands at 769.29 meters, while the downstream level is recorded at 765.80 meters.
The discharge is intended to reduce upstream water accumulation, which had increased significantly due to the heavy showers.
The opening of the gates has led to a noticeable drop in upstream water levels by nearly 2 feet.
Authorities confirmed that the overflow due to continuous rainfall since May 27 had posed a threat to nearby low-lying areas, vulnerable to potential flooding if water levels had continued to rise.
Local residents, including fishermen and farmers, have expressed concern over the sudden release of water.
However, officials have assured that the gate operations are being closely monitored and regulated to minimize downstream impact.
As rainfall is expected to continue, the NHPC and State Water Resources Department remain on alert, with further decisions to be taken based on weather developments and real-time water level assessments.
