Odisha’s parched Mahanadi gets water as Chhattisgarh releases water through Kalma barrage  

In a rather surprising turn of events, the Chhattisgarh government has released water into the Mahanadi river through Kalma barrage despite the fact that it is yet to receive Monsoon rain and is invariably known for holding up the river’s water. 

With the Chhattisgarh government releasing the Mahanadi river’s water through the five gates of Kalma barrage, the river ghats like Saradha Ghat and Sukhasola ghats of the river in Lakhanpur block of Jharsuguda district that had been lying parched for long witnessed flowing of knee-deep water on Thursday morning. 

The Chhattisgarh government has released water not only form the Kalma barrage but also from Kelo dam constructed on Kelo river at Lakha, giving a relief to the riparian villages situated on the border of the two states. 

According to reports, compared to last year’s rainfall in June, Chhattisgarh received 96 percent less this June. This apart, eight districts of the neighboring state are reeling under severe heatwave conditions. While the weather department has forecast for the Monsoon to touch the neighbouring state by June 25, the upper catchment of the Mahanadi river witnessed rainfall yesterday. The upper catchment received 3.75 mm of rain during the last 24 hours from Wednesday evening. 

The Chhattisgarh government had earlier announced that the flood water of the current year would be released through Kalma barrage through 16 gates. But, since Monsoon didn’t reach the state at the expected time, it released water through ten gates. Later, five gates were closed. 

Similarly, water is being released from Kelo Dam through two gates. 

It is pertinent to mention here that the Chhattisgarh government has had two intake wells-one each at the upper and down streams of Kalma barrage.