BHAWANIPATNA: Shortage of water in Indravati reservoir may impede irrigation during the current kharif season in Kalahandi district. The water level in the reservoir has substantially gone down during the past three days, resulting in the stoppage of power generation due to heavy siltation near the intake well. The water level of the reservoir near its intake area is at the lowest mark. The current water level is 625 metres, against the dead water level of 626.93 metres.
The water crisis had been caused due to inadequate rainfall, sources said. First, the reservoir’s water is released into the intake well. The water then passes through 3,934 metre-long circular tunnel and thereafter released into the power house through four penstocks (pipes) to generate 600 mega watt power with the help of four units. After power generation, the water is released into Mangalpur barrage through a tail race channel. Water for irrigation is released from Mangalpur barrage through the left and right canals. Thus, water cannot be released for irrigation, if there is no generation of power. “We are expecting that the water will be released soon so that we are able to start irrigation from July 1,” said project Chief Construction Engineer Nirmal Kumar Pradhan.
Contacted, General Manager of Odisha Hydro Power Corporation, Mukhiguda, Sunasira Bhoi said power generation had been affected due to low water level in the reservoir. “The level of water in the reservoir depends on the amount of rainfall received in the catchment area,” he added. Bhoi said the situation was being reviewed and steps would be taken to restore power generation. Meanwhile, the Irrigation department has set a target to provide water to 85,631 hectares in Kalahandi district through Indravati project during the current kharif season. The situation is similar in Utei Medium Irrigation project, which is expected to irrigate 9,306 hecatres. About 114 minor irrigation projects in the district are targeted to irrigate 19,443 hactares. But, all these projects have been hit by water crisis. Deputy Director of Agriculture, Prahalad Sahu, said the time is ripe for preparation of paddy nurseries. But disruption in irrigation may adversely affect the agriculture production, he added.