Bhubaneswar, Oct 5: Orissa governor M C Bhandare has sought a report from the state government on the alleged water "mismanagement" at Hirakud dam that led to a high flood in the Mahanadi delta region, official sources said.
Bhandare's note to the state goverment came in the wake of media reports on the alleged violation of Rule Curve meant for proper management of water in Hirakud reservoir.
Though the state government receivedthe governor's note, Bhandare was yet to get a reply.
"Yes, the governor has sought a report on the alleged mismanagement of water in Hirakud reservoir. The governor has suggested constitution of a committee with some members from the central water commission (CWC) to verify the truth behind the allegation regarding violation of Rule Curve," a senior official at the water resources department said.
The state government would soon constitute a committee as per suggestions made by the governor, he said.
Rejecting allegation, first made by senior BJP leader and former water resource minister Bijay Mohapatra, revenue and disaster management minister S N Patro claimed at the Curve Rule for Hirakud reservoir was properly maintained.
"The state government discharged water from the reservoir when the water level was much within prescribed gudelines," the minister said.
Mohapatra, however, alleged that the state government did not discharage water from the reservoir in time and suddenly opened a large number of sluice gates resulting in a high flood in Mahanadi delta region.
The BJP leader's argument was supported by Congress leaders who slammed the state government for "mismanagement" of water in Hirakud reservoir.
"All of a sudden, without any prior notice, almost 10 lakh cusec of water was released through 59 gates of the dam, which was a quantum jump from 36 gates," OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik said.
Terming the present calamity as "man-made", Patnaik said the general impression was that 40 to 44 gates could have been kept open for 3-4 days begining from September 7.
"The state government did not take weater forecast and information from Chhattisgarh seriously causing a high flood in the down stream," he pointed out. PTI
