Nabarangpur: The reduced water level in the Indravati reservoir due to scanty rainfall might seriously affect power production and irrigation facilities in the region, sources informed Monday. This year, rainfall has drastically declined in the region in comparison to previous years. Officials said that the rainfall has decreased by more than 40 per cent this year. The Indravati reservoir is spread over 110 square kilometres touching the borders of Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in Odisha. The Indravati reservoir has the highest water-retaining capacity of 642 metres but due to sparse showers, the level has come down to 631.41 metres.
Locals pointed out that the reduction in water level in the Indravati reservoir will certainly affect power production. Incidentally, the reservoir is the hub of Indravati hydroelectricity project. It is the second largest hydroelectricity project in Asia. The highest water-retaining capacity of the reservoir stands at 642 metres while the minimum level which has to be maintained is 625 metres. Till September 1, the water level stood at 640 metres.
However, in just three days, the water level has decreased by close to 10 metres. Officials stated that 71.21 cusecs of water is entering the reservoir per second while 89.54 cusecs are being discharged. They added that if such a situation persists a time will come when water will not be available for irrigation or for power production. Locals Prithwiraj Paikaray and Sadashiv Jani said that if such a situation develops cultivation of crops will be seriously hampered. They informed that the present signs are ominous indeed. Nabarangpur district experienced 40 per cent deficit rainfall in August for which farmlands have dried and developed cracks due to lack of water. The lack of sufficient rainfall has sparked fear of drought among farmers in the district.
Last year during the period August 1 to August 31, the power production from the hydroelectricity project stood at 1,63,056 megawatt (MW). For the same period this year the production has come down to 1,61,417 MW. It is being apprehended that due to deficit rainfall, power production will further decrease in the days to come. Janardan Tahsildar, executive officer of Podagada dam division said that the reduction in power production will also hit the revenues of the Odisha government. The state government earns substantial revenues by selling power from the project. Locals said that the situation will go out of control unless there is sufficient rainfall in Nabarangpur district in the month of September. They also added that the Odisha government must take immediate steps to control the water crisis the reservoir is facing.
