Odisha blames Chhattisgarh for causing flood in Mahanadi

BHUBANESWAR: The

row over Mahanadi river

water resurfaced on Wednesday as the ruling BJD blamed Chhattisgarh of unilaterally releasing flood waters to Odisha without consulting the later. The release of water in

Mahanadi

by Chhattisgarh caused a low to medium range flood in Odisha.



“What we expected has happened. Chhattisgarh did not give us water when there was a scarcity, our people lost their livelihood and farming got badly affected. But now in the rainy season when our rivers are full, they released water without consulting us and caused a flood in our state,” said BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra.

The Odisha Water Resource Department had earlier raised concerns over such release of water. Besides, a coordination meeting of the National Council of Dam Safety (NCDS) was held on August 24 to discuss the safety of Hirakud and floodwater management. However, they are still releasing water without any communication, Mishra alleged.

Reacting to allegations that Chhattisgarh is responsible for floods in Odisha, water resources minister of Chhattisgarh Brijmohan Agrawal said, “Two states have been releasing water with proper coordination and we are hopeful that if it would continue in future then there will be no problem.”

In the NCDS meeting, it was resolved that the data of rainfall will be updated on two hourly bases in respect to Minimata Bango and Ravi Shankar dam in the NeerNidhi App so that Odisha can know the exact rainfall and water level status. In the meeting, Odisha also requested Central Water Commission to get the flood forecast before 72 hours.

Meanwhile, union minister of state for water resources, Arjun Ram Meghwal reviewed Mahanadi water dispute in the city and said “Odisha and Chhattisgarh dispute should be resolved through discussions. I visited the Mahanadi Barrage at Naraj and came to know that Chhattisgarh is releasing Mahanadi water without consultation. I will take up the matter soon.”