BHAWANIPATNA: Irrigation through Indravati project during current Kharif season in Kalahandi is in uncertainty due to acute shortage of water in the Indravati reservoir at present. The water table of the reservoir has substantially gone down resulting in stoppage of power generation during last 3 days. The water table of the reservoir near intake of the tunnel is in lowest level now. The present water level is against 625 meters as against dead water level of 626.93 meters.
However, due to heavy siltation near intake well for safety, power generation has been stopped. In the absence of rain in the catchment, this situation has been caused. As per the system of this project, water of the reservoir is released through intake well and crossing through the 3934-meter long circular tunnel,, water is released to the power house through 4 penstocks (pipes) and 600 mega watt power is generated by 4 units.
After power generation, the water is released to Mangalpur barrage through tail race channel and from Mangalpur barrage irrigation water is released by Left and Right canals for irrigation. Unless there is power generation, irrigation is not possible as both are interrelated.
On query, the CCE of the project Nirmal Kumar Pradhan told that irrigation is dependent on power generation and release of water to Mangalpur barrage through tail race channel. "We are expecting for the release of water so that irrigation can be started from 1st July as scheduled", he expressed optimism.
In this context, the GM Odisha Hydro Power Corporation, Mukhiguda Sunasira Bhoi told that power generation has been affected due to the low water level in the reservoir. "Water level is dependent on rain in the catchment," he told. However, he told that the situation has been reviewed and steps will be taken to restore power generation and to release water for irrigation based on the reservoir condition.
For the current Kharif season it is targeted to provide irrigation to 85631 hectares in Kalahandi district through Indravati project. The scenario is similar in Utei Medium Irrigation project targeted to irrigate 9306 hactors and 19443 hactors through 114 numbers of Minor irrigation projects in the district. In these projects also irrigation is not possible now unless there will be rain in the catchment areas and the reservoirs are filled up. The deputy director Agriculture Prahalad Sahu told that it is time for preparation of paddy nurseries and disturbance in irrigation may have adverse impact.