KOLABIRA(JHARSUGUDA): River Telen, which was the lifeline of Kolabira block in the district, has dried up completely. The river is a tributary of Mahanadi and merges with river Bheden at Salepali. Mindless drawing of water by industries has dried up Telen completely leaving the villagers in a lurch.
Although a sand barrage could have stored some water, lack of foresight of the district administration has led to water crisis in Salepali and other villages, which are located along the river.Villages of Raghunathpali, Jianjor, Bhimjor, Tareikela, Bhojupada, Salepali, Bhejikud, Kushupali, Chandnimal and Kolabira depend entirely on river Telen. Village Zamindar Bir Amarendra Pratap Singh said the river flowed round the year and there was no problem.
“However, rampant destruction of green cover upstream led to gradual decrease in the flow of river and it dried up this summer,” he said. He added that the decrease in flow over the years and decline in rainfall has changed the topography of the river and there are no more pits which can hold water. Drying up of the river has affected the ground water level of other available sources in these villages.
It takes several hours to pump water from the village tubewell while tanks and dug wells have very little water left in them. Although women of these villagers have been digging pits in the dry river bed to collect water, it takes very long for water to seep in and accumulate in the pit before it is collected for drinking. Pits on the river beds have also started drying up and women have to scurry for new spots to dig pits.
Moreover, water seeping into the pits is black in colour and requires long hours to settle down indicating that the river is polluted. Even water level at the deep borewell located close to the river has gone down compounding the problem. Although construction of a water project was initiated between Kolabira and Sanyasipali to cater to drinking water needs, it has been three years and the project is far from complete.
Water Worry
● Mindless drawing of water by industries has dried up Telen completely leaving the villagers in a lurch.
● Although a sand barrage could have stored some water, lack of foresight of the district administration
has led to water crisis in Salepali and other villages, which are located along the river
● Villages of Raghunathpali, Jianjor, Bhimjor, Tareikela, Bhojupada, Salepali, Bhejikud, Kushupali, Chandnimal and Kolabira depend entirely on Telen