Bhubaneswar, Aug 4 (UDN): The Odisha government has directed authorities to immediately suspend hydropower generation from any reservoir where water levels fall below the critical threshold needed for drinking water supply and agricultural irrigation.
The directive, issued by the Department of Water Resources, aims to protect essential water availability for households and farmers amid concerns over declining reservoir storage levels.
The decision follows a high-level review of the state’s water situation, where the government assessed the impact of lower water availability and the need for careful management of existing resources.
Officials have been instructed to ensure that maintaining sufficient water reserves for drinking purposes and irrigation remains the top priority. Hydropower generation will be halted whenever reservoir levels threaten the minimum requirement for these essential needs.
The government has also ordered continuous monitoring of all hydropower reservoirs across Odisha. Officials will track live storage levels, water inflows and projected depletion patterns through regular assessments.
The move comes amid concerns linked to the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, which has affected water storage conditions in several areas compared with previous years.
Authorities have been directed to take immediate action without waiting for additional approvals if any reservoir reaches a critical level. The government said safeguarding water security will take precedence over electricity generation during periods of shortage.
The decision highlights Odisha’s focus on sustainable water management and ensuring that drinking water and agricultural needs remain protected during challenging climatic conditions.
