Chitrakonda: Kharif cultivation and power production might get seriously affected as the water levels in Balimela reservoir under this block in Malkangiri district are yet to increase despite heavy rainfall upstream, according to reports.
Despite the incessant rain for the last one week this month, reports stated that the water level in the dam close to the Chitrakonda spillway of Balimela reservoir has not reached a satisfactory level.
As July is coming to an end, it was found that the water level was actually falling. Last year, over 1,470 cubic feet of water was present in the dam while the current water level is 1454.90 cubic feet (by Tuesday). The dam’s water level has dropped by almost 20 per cent.
Regular discharge of 3,000 cusecs of water to Andhra Pradesh through the dam’s sluice gates is another cause of the drop in water level. Reports said that the dam’s water level rose last year despite a delayed rainfall.
However, with the monsoon arriving in time and incessant rainfall lashing the area since July 2 the water level is yet to increase in the dam. It is believed that the water level will increase in the dam if the area witnesses good rainfall towards September last or October or heavy rainfall again upstream of the dam.
