Dhauliganga dam gates to open, Mahakali water level may rise; 48-hour alert issued

Residents along the Mahakali river have been urged to stay alert for 48 hours, as the water level is expected to rise from tonight. The increase is expected because the Dhauliganga hydropower project is opening its dam gates.

The Dhauliganga hydropower project is located in Pithoragarh, in India's Uttarakhand state. The project plans to open the gates for 48 hours to clear silt that has accumulated at the dam.

This is not the first time the dam gates have been opened. Once the gates open, the flow of the Mahakali river is likely to increase in the downstream areas.

People living near the riverbanks and those crossing the river have therefore been asked to exercise special caution during this period.