JEYPORE: Deficient rainfall and blocking of water from the catchment areas to the Upper Kolab reservoir have hit the farmers hard. Officials concerned are now apprehending that there would be no water for irrigation for the ensuing rabi season in the upper Kolab irrigation project areas.
“Chances of providing water for the ensuing rabi season are dim due to low rainfall and less water in the reservoir,” said Upper Kolab Irrigation project SDO S. Mishra.
At present, the reservoir has about 850 metre height of water which is said to be the worst in the last one decade.
There are over 1,000 water bodies spread across Koraput, Semiliguda, Laxmipur, Nandpur and Lamatapur blocks that supply water to the reservoir but due to deficient rainfall in the catchment areas this year and blocking of water passage to nonreservoir areas due to landslides, the water input has reduced drastically.
The region got 1,000 MM rainfall this year against the normal 1500 MM. Officials of the Upper Kolab project are expecting a maximum height of 854 metre water storage till October-end without which, there would be no irrigation water for ayacutareas in Jeypore sub-division which is a major paddy producer in the KBK areas.
Last year, the water storage in the reservoir was 852 metre as a result of which, water could be provided to only 10,000 hectares against over 40,000.
Meanwhile, leaders of Dhanpur distributary committee under Upper Kolab project have urged the authorities concerned to repair and desilt the canals and sub-canals under the project in Jeypore sub-division.
