Day after Hirakud dam authorities accused Chhattisgarh of not cooperating in flood management in Odisha, the convener of Mahanadi Bancho Andolon Sudarsan Das on Sunday questioned why the State government is not holding discussions with the neighbouring State to find out a permanent solution for the frequent flooding in Mahanadi river system.
Speaking to OTV, Das said, “Every time rain batters Chhattisgarh, pressure mounts on Hirakud dam prompting it to open sluice gates to release excess water and this results in flood-like situation in the low-lying areas.”
“We asked Chhattisgarh to open five gates to release the water but their authorities did not listen to us. Now, it is asking us to open sluice gates of the Hirakud dam. There is no coordination between Odisha and Chhattisgarh governments in managing Mahanadi water. The two States can hold a discussion to find out a permanent solution to the problem,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hirakud chief engineer Anand Chandra Sahu has demanded corrections in the rule curve of the reservoir.
“It is required to change the rule curve as it was last corrected in 1988 and now the situation has changed. I have suggested the Odisha government to make necessary changes in it but for that we need expert team comprising members from across the globe with precise knowledge in climatic change,” Sahu added.