The Tandula dam in the district is yet to get filled up due to lack of sufficient rainfall in the ongoing monsoon season. Due to insufficient rainfall, the Tandula and Gondli dams have almost dried up. Sufficient rainfall has not yet been recorded in the district. Despite some rainfall experienced in the region, humid conditions are prevailing. Farmers of the area are getting increasingly concerned about the deficient rainfall in the region.
The farmers in the district get water for irrigation mainly from dams of Tandula, Gondli, Kharkhara and Matiyamoti.According to information available, Tandula dam, which has a capacity of storing 10,674 million cubic feet of water (mcft) is the lifeline of Balod and Durg districts.As on July 18, there was only 22.90 ft water left over in the dam, which is only 40.46 per cent of the total storage capacity of the dam.
In this monsoon season, only 157 mm rainfall was recorded. last year, as on July 18, the water level of the dam was 24.30 ft, which was 44.64 per cent of the total capacity and 492 mm rainfall was recorded.The water storage capacity of Gondli dam is 3410 mcft. At present, the dam has 25.30 ft water which is 55.67 per cent of its total capacity.The dam received 311 mm rainfall this season. The capacity of the dam is 139.8 million cubic litre.
As the area has received good rainfall, more than half of the dam has been filled. The water storage capacity of Matiyamoti dam is 26.48 million cubic litre. At present, the dam has 25.68 per cent water of its total capacity.