Malkangiri: Incessant rain has triggered a serious flood situation in Malkangiri district, forcing suspension of power generation at the Balimela Hydroelectric Project since September 22 as water levels in the reservoir continue to rise rapidly.
The power generation was stopped for safety reasons after the Potteru Irrigation Department, citing widespread inundation of agricultural land in the lower reaches of the Potteru, asked the OHPC authorities at Balimela in writing not to release water from the reservoir until September 29.
The Balimela reservoir level rose from 1,494 feet in the morning to 1,495 feet by Friday evening. Its maximum storage capacity is around 1,516 feet. The reservoir level has risen by more than 15 feet in the past three days amid continuous rainfall.
OHPC authorities said power generation would resume only after the flood situation in the Potteru area improves. The project has eight generating units with a combined generation capacity of 510 MW.
Chitrakonda and adjoining areas have also received heavy rainfall for the past two days, recording 119.4 mm of rain in the last 24 hours.
A landslide and bridge collapse on the road from Jhula Bridge in the Swabhiman area towards New Tekpadar and Ralegada panchayats has disrupted connectivity to five villages. At Darakonda Ghat along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, around 100 metres of road has been washed away, disrupting connectivity with Andhra Pradesh.
Motor launch services have remained suspended, while boat services at Arangi Ghat have also been stopped as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, the water level in the Satiguda reservoir near Malkangiri town has also crossed its danger mark of 194 metres, raising concern among people living in surrounding areas.
