Kendrapara: The sharp depletion in the water-level of river Luna in this district has set alarm bells ringing among the people, especially the farmers, a report said.
It is apprehended that the drying of the river might affect cultivation in the district and aggravate the drinking water problem in this town. The riverbed is slowly getting deposited with slush and mud and the water-level has depleted.
The public health engineering organisation (PHEO) with the help of the water resources department had drawn a channel till Kalapada pump house for supply of drinking water to the town. However, water flow in the channel has reduced with the channel slowly getting buried.
The PHEO authorities have to dig up the channel again by January end to keep water supply intact to the pump house.
Sources in the water resources department said check dams have been constructed at Padagayaspur, Gayaspur, Thauri, Chadheiguan and Rajgad Angulai for providing irrigation facilities to the farmland and drinking water supply.
The residents have expressed concern over the depletion in water level in the river ahead of the summer season. They claimed that if the river could be made perennial than it would help in irrigating over 10,000 hectares of farmland in Marshaghai and Mahakalapara blocks of the district.
When contacted, Ganesh Chandra Samal, Zilla Parishad member (Zone no-26), said the river of 73 km in length which flows through the district was used for maritime trade during the British era. However, due to lack of maintenance, illegal sand and soil mining and encroachments the river has changed its course.
Social activist Sukhadananda Pradhan of Derabish admitted to the development stating that this has been caused due to construction of barrages in the upstream of Mahanadi by the Chhattisgarh government. He said this problem can be solved by linking the rivers and construction of barrages at various places.
A resident Sk. Sabir also expressed concern over the development stating that this will adversely affect the drinking water supply to the town.
Pradip Kumar Rout, executive engineer of the water resources department, said steps are being taken for the development of the river.
PNN