Sambalpur/Bhubaneswar: The flow of water into Hirakud reservoir in the downstream of Mahanadi River has been severely affected due to construction and 'regular closure' of gates of Kalma barrage by neighbouring Chhattisgarh, an assessment of Odisha Water Resource Department revealed.
As per reports, Odisha has experienced continuous reduction in water inflow- 18 per cent in October 2017, 43 per cent in November, 39 per cent in December and 41 per cent and 40 per cent in January and February, respectively this year.
"If we take into account the flow of water from October 2017 to February 2018 and compare it to the flow during the same period in the last 10 years, Mahanadi has witnessed a reduction of almost 47 per cent. If this continues, we will have to face serious problems around May and June," said Gopal Prasad Ray, chief engineer of Water Resource Department (Planning), Odisha.
The Chhattisgarh government has already been informed about the continuous reduction in water flow, informed Ray, adding that the present water level of Hirakud is 616 ft and if it goes below 610 ft, it will have adverse effect on power generation and irrigation in the State.
Jyotirmaya Ratha, chief engineer of Upper Mahanadi Basin, said that the construction of barrages by Chhattisgarh has severely affected the flow of water.
Odisha has been alleging that the Kalma barrage gates are operated in an improper manner by Chhattisgarh with an intention to arbitrarily restrict the water flow to Hirakud reservoir.
Earlier this year, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had said that he would take up the matter with the Central Water Commission and ensure free flow of water in downstream of Mahanadi River. However, the ruling-BJD government in Odisha alleged that the saffron party has politicized the issue to settle scores.