Malkangiri: Continuous heavy rainfall triggered by a low-pressure area over the Northwest and Westcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh has disrupted normal life in several parts of Odisha’s Malkangiri district.
Water levels in low-lying areas have risen, inundating agricultural fields and raising concerns among farmers. Floodwater is also flowing over the Pangam, Poteru and MV-96 bridges, disrupting vehicular movement. Police personnel have been deployed on both sides of the affected bridges and are preventing commuters from approaching the submerged stretches.
Malkangiri block recorded 136 mm of rainfall, while Mathili received 85 mm, Khairput 142 mm, Chitrakonda 192 mm, Korukonda 134 mm, Kalimela 85 mm and Padia 29 mm.
The rising rainfall has also pushed up water levels in the district’s major reservoirs. Satiguda Reservoir currently has a water level of 191.25 metres, against its maximum capacity of 192.63 metres. The reservoir had recorded a level of 188.7 metres on August 16, indicating a significant rise.
Similarly, the Balimela Reservoir currently holds around 1,477.2 feet of water, against its maximum capacity of 1,516 feet. The water level stood at 1,475.6 feet on August 13 and had fallen to 1,467 feet on August 20 before rising again amid the recent heavy rainfall.
Several low-lying agricultural areas have been submerged, particularly in the Poteru region, affecting farming activities. Farmers are worried that prolonged waterlogging could damage standing crops.
In view of the rising water level and waterlogging in downstream areas, power generation at the Balimela OHPC hydroelectric project was ordered to be stopped on Saturday. The project had been generating around 70-80 MW of electricity until Friday.
Following the suspension of power generation at Balimela OHPC, Malkangiri’s electricity demand is currently being met through power supplied from Jaypur.
Satiguda Reservoir water is used to provide irrigation to around 9,056 hectares of farmland. Similarly, water released after power generation at the Balimela OHPC project supports irrigation across approximately 44,413 hectares.
Besides these systems, around 4,140 hectares are irrigated under the MI Division, while lift irrigation facilities serve approximately 33.35 hectares. Another 1,288 hectares receive irrigation through other systems.
Officials said water is currently not being released from the reservoirs due to the heavy rainfall and the prevailing situation in downstream areas.
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