nThis year, monsoon rain in the Mahanadi basin has been less by 26 per cent and its negative effect has been seen everywhere.
The Kelo river including the upper catchment area of Hirakud reservoir has dried up in the month of July which has increased the worries of farmers in Jharsuguda district.
Experts have requested for a joint discussion on water management in the Mahanadi basin by both Odisha and Chhattisgarh Governments.
The Mahanadi river in Surajgarh of Chhattisgarh located in the upper catchment area of Sukhasoda village under Lakhanpur block of Jharsuguda district in Odisha-Chhattisgarh border has almost dried up. Here, the river has entered Odisha from Chhattisgarh side.
On the one hand, the Mahanadi has dried up due to irregular rainfall this year, while on the other, local farmers and fishermen are directly affected by the illegal construction of projects by the Chhattisgarh
Government on the Mahanadi without the knowledge of Odisha Government. Along with this, hundreds of acres of land beside the river is left barren due to drying of the river.
In the rainy season this year, fishermen and thousands of farmers have been seriously affected due to scanty rainfall. The scenario of Bada Kalo river bed is the same.
While Bada Kalo river has entered Odisha from the Chhattisgarh side, farmers of Luhaboga village under Lakhanpur block of the district are a worried lot as the lift irrigation project has also been out of order. This year, both agriculture and farmers in Jharsuguda district have been severely affected due to scanty rainfall", said former Lakhanpur block chairman Goutam Pradhan.
While a lot of uproar is continuing now on the Mahanadi in the rainy season, the Mahanadi is drying up in the upper catchment area and its direct impact is witnessed on the Hirakud reservoir.
As per the information of Meteorological Department, this year 26 per cent less rainfall is seen in the Mahanadi basin from June 1 to July 23. Irregular rainfall is also continuing in the State with deficit rainfall in 23 districts. Only eight districts are having normal rainfall. "In case of no rainfall within a week, agriculture in Jharsuguda district will be greatly affected and drought situation will be seen in the district," said Jharsuguda Agriculture Deputy Director S Kerketa.
Meanwhile, Ranjan Panda of Water Initiative Odisha has demanded immediate discussion on water management in Mahanandi basin by both Chhattisgarh and Odisha Governments.