THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 20, 2026

"The temporary halt in power generation at Balimela is an act of responsible governance to safeguard our agricultural sector. While nature has presented a dry spell in the catchment areas, the state's power grid remains perfectly stable through strategic alternative procurement. We stand firmly with our farmers, and citizens need not panic about power or water shortages," Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo asserted on Monday, reiterating the State Government's commitment to protecting agriculture and ensuring uninterrupted essential services amid deficient rainfall.

The assurance came after a high-level review meeting chaired by Singh Deo and attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, Water Resources, Subha Sarma, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment, Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav. The meeting reviewed the low rainfall situation in the catchment areas of major reservoirs, including Balimela and Machkund, and outlined a comprehensive strategy to address the emerging challenges.

Emphasising that safeguarding farmers remains the government's foremost priority, Singh Deo directed that strict reservoir management protocols be enforced to maintain optimum storage levels. He said a critical water reserve would be preserved exclusively for drinking water needs and agricultural stability before any allocation for power generation.

With the southwest monsoon remaining weak and reservoir levels lower than those recorded during the corresponding period last year, the Water Resources and Agriculture Departments have intensified round-the-clock monitoring of water availability. Water conservation measures are being prioritised to ensure that the ongoing Kharif cultivation remains unaffected. The State Government has also initiated high-level discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, to ensure seamless coordination and timely support if required.

To effectively manage the situation, the government has activated a comprehensive State Contingency Plan, with the Agriculture, Energy and Water Resources Departments spearheading localised interventions to safeguard standing crops and optimise water utilisation across vulnerable regions.

On the energy front, the government has put in place a robust alternative power procurement mechanism to offset any reduction in hydroelectric generation. Working in close coordination with GRIDCO, OHPC, the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), the Regional Load Despatch Centre (RLDC) and the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC), the Energy Department has secured alternative power arrangements from external grids, ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply across the state despite the temporary suspension of generation at Balimela.

The meeting also reviewed the technical issues affecting the Machkund hydroelectric project. The State Government has initiated high-level engagement with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and fast-tracked bilateral discussions are underway for the early restoration and modernisation of the Machkund generating units so that the project can safely resume its optimal power generation capacity at the earliest.

Reaffirming the government's preparedness, Singh Deo said Odisha remains fully vigilant, adaptive and committed to managing its water and energy resources with maximum efficiency while protecting the interests of farmers and ensuring that citizens continue to receive uninterrupted water and power supply despite the prevailing low rainfall conditions.