Burla/Bhubaneswar: The Chief Engineer of Upper Mahanadi basin has informed the Water Resources department 33% less water had entered the Hirakud Dam built on Mahanadi river in last December as compared to the average flow in past ten years.
The Chief Engineer report further stated 0.123 million acre feet water of Mahanadi river entered the dam in December last year due to the barrages built in the upper catchment areas in Chhattisgarh.
Commenting on the development, BJD spokesperson Shashi Bhusan Behera said, “During non-monsoon period, water flow in the river will be affected fully once construction of the barrages gets over in the neighbouring state.”
“The State government had raised the barrage issue before the Centre and the Parliament as well. As no considerable efforts made by the Centre to resolve the matter, legal help is being considered by the State government,” Behera added.
Also read: Water bearing capacity of Hirakud dam has decreased: CM
Refuting the charges against the BJP government at Centre, the party spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said, “In March last year, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said in the Assembly that the State is receiving 25% more water in Mahanadi river. However, the chief minister is presenting different data. How come the inflow of water in the river came down in these few months? We believe the Odisha government is playing dirty politics only while utilising the sentiments of the people of the State.”
Assuring full support of the BJP-led Central government towards Odisha regarding the issue, Mohapatra added, “The Centre has already clarified any water shortage issue will not be allowed in Odisha. If need arises the Centre will set up gauge stations. But, firstly the State should cooperate and provide correct data.”