Malkangiri: Even as the water level is increasing in Balimela reservoir at Chitrakonda in this district, there is no threat to low lying areas, said Poteru irrigation department chief engineer BK Kalsa, Monday.
At present, the water level has reached 1,509.06 ft against the reservoir’s water retaining capacity of 1,516 ft, he added.
People living in the low lying areas were in a state of panic after discharge of water from Machhkund and Kolab reservoirs. However, there is no need to panic, said officials. Water from Balimela reservoir won’t be released unless the level approached 1,516 ft, they added.
It is a practice to alert the people of some low lying villages including Mantriput and Gundawada after the water level touches 1,507 ft, said Kalsa.
The officials have had a discussion with water resources department principal secretary BK Jena over the issue. Water from the reservoir would be released only after a decision taken at the inter-state river water sharing committee meeting comprising the engineers of Balimela hydro electricity project and Sileru hydro electricity project of Andhra Pradesh, it was learnt.
PNN