Odisha may halt hydropower generation to prioritise drinking water, irrigation
The Odisha government has ordered a suspension of hydropower generation if reservoir levels fall below critical thresholds. This measure aims to prioritize drinking water and irrigation needs amid concerns over lower storage levels and the El Niño phenomenon.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing tension between energy production and essential resource management in climate-vulnerable regions.
Despite Odisha receiving rainfall in excess of close to 96% in July, the State government has decided to go for rationalising hydropower generation in order to prioritise drinking water and irrigation needs.
“If water levels drop below the critical baseline required for irrigation and drinking purposes, ensure that power generation is completely suspended without waiting for further clearances,” says a government letter instructing the Engineer-in-Chief of the Water Resource Department on Tuesday (August 4).
In a meeting held in the second week of July, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi observed that reserving sufficient water to fully meet the critical needs of drinking water supply and agricultural irrigation was absolute and paramount.
“Accordingly, it has been categorically mandated that if the water levels in any reservoir are found to be less than the required threshold needed to secure these priorities, power generation must be stopped immediately,” says the letter.
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