Weak rainfall in various parts of Odisha has resulted in almost all reservoirs registering less volume of water, which is a cause of worry for irrigation, power generation and agriculture.
“It seems Rain God is not well disposed of to Odisha as the rains have been weak this year in certain parts of the State and the catchment areas of the dams resulting in less water accumulating in them, said a senior official in the Department of Water Resources.
“We had been hopeful of witnessing an increase in the volume by August-end when the rains would have showered in full force, but it played truant” said the official.
So, no reservoirs were filled up to the brim, and it would cause problems for power generation, irrigation and agriculture, he said.
While the largest Hirakud reservoir is 625.58 feet deep, it filled up to 82 per cent. The Indravati reservoir is having a level of 638.38 meter holding only 72.4 per cent water.
The Upper Kolab reservoir with a level of 858.38 meter is having water filled up by 73.5 per cent while the Balimela reservoir with a 1,503-feet level is holding 74 per cent water.
The Salandi reservoir having a 73.43-meter level is filled up only 53.2 per cent due to scanty rainfall in its catchment area. Odisha has witnessed lesser rainfall since the onset of this year’s monsoon and continues to be deficient by 12 per cent by September 15, said sources.
Coastal regions received better rainfall during September. However, with little rainfall in the catchment areas of the reservoirs te water volume has gone down.
Now, electricity generation at the hydropower stations is going on at a fast pace to meet the growing demand of the peak power demand of 4,000 MW of the State. The hydropower stations are generating 1,350 MW during peak hours in September, and on an average the generation during September is 930 MW.
With lower volume of water level in the reservoirs, the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC), which is handling the hydropower stations at Burla, Machhkund, Balimela and Chiplima, would face a tough time to generate more power in future, feel officials. While agriculture is the mainstay of Odisha, releasing more water for irrigation and agriculture is now the prime concern for the State administration.
However, officials are hopeful of more rainfall due to low pressures during this month before the monsoon recedes.