Guwahati: Authorities have issued precautionary advisories for downstream areas in Assam after the Doyang Hydro Electric Project in Nagaland carried out a controlled release of water on Wednesday, August 5, to manage rising reservoir levels amid continued rainfall.
The North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO), which operates the hydropower project, began the regulated discharge at around 4 pm by opening four spillway gates as part of its routine monsoon reservoir management protocol.
Officials said the decision was taken to safely regulate increasing inflows into the reservoir, maintain the prescribed storage level and safeguard the dam’s structural integrity during the ongoing wet spell.
At the time of the release, the reservoir level stood at 322.4 metres. Each of the four spillway gates was opened by 1.25 metres, resulting in a controlled discharge of approximately 213 cubic metres per second (cumecs).
According to officials, such regulated releases are a standard flood management measure during the monsoon and are intended to reduce pressure on the reservoir while ensuring the safe operation of the hydroelectric facility.
The controlled discharge is expected to gradually raise water levels in the Doyang and Dhansiri rivers. As a result, low-lying areas and settlements located along the downstream river stretches in Assam may experience a rise in water levels over the next few hours.
Although the discharge is being carefully monitored, officials said downstream conditions could change depending on the intensity of rainfall and the volume of fresh inflows reaching the reservoir.
District administrations and disaster management authorities have advised residents living near riverbanks and flood-prone areas to remain alert and avoid unnecessary movement near the rivers until the situation normalises.
Authorities said reservoir levels, river flows and weather conditions are being monitored round the clock in coordination with the concerned agencies. Additional advisories will be issued if changing hydrological conditions require further action.