After a gap of 14 days, power generation from the Indravati Hydro Electric Project (IHEP) in Kalahandi district was on Monday stopped again for an indefinite period following heavy downpours in the region. This has seriously affected power supply in the State.
The IHEP generates 600 MW of power, thus greatly contributing to the increasing demand for electricity in the State. Notably, a fortnight ago, due to heavy downpours in the upper catchment area of the project the district administration had stopped power generation for a few days and resumed it as the situation improved.
Power generation would be resumed as soon as the rains stop and weather conditions improve, sources said. Due to torrential rains since Sunday night, water in river Hati in Kalahandi district was flowing three feet above the river bridge at Junagarh on Monday. The communication of NH-26 was affected as the roads from Junagarh to Dharmagarh, Nabrangpur and Koraput were cut off. The Junagarh-Kalampur road was also breached. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded at Junagarh.
Flash floods also breached the Upper Indravati right canal and water entered into Pandigaon village of Jaipatna block rendering many residents homeless and taking shelter in a forest beat house. The district administration instructed the concerned officials to shut down the 600-MW Indravati hydropower station.