Ganjam district of Odisha faces a water problem as the Rushikulya river dries up
The already acute water shortage in the Ganjam area has been made worse by the intense heat, since rivers and reservoirs are quickly running out. The Rushikulya river, which is often referred to as the district’s lifeblood, is drying up alarmingly quickly, presenting serious difficulties for both locals and farmers.
Due to infrequent rainfall, Ganjam, an agricultural area that depends mostly on rainfed agriculture, risks a major decline in cultivable territory. Amidst the impending water crisis, farmers are facing anxiety over sowing rabi crops due to the declining yield of kharif paddy.
Thousands of devotees battled to participate in the “Maha Baruni Snana” event on Saturday, demonstrating that the situation goes beyond agricultural issues. On this auspicious occasion, people from Aska, Purusottampur, Pratappur, and other surrounding areas gather to take a holy bath in the Rushikulya river.
But when the river ran out, many had to make do with shallow waters, and others dug trenches in the riverbed to get water. Local farmers have been calling for rapid government involvement to restore the Rushikulya river due to the catastrophic condition.
The Rushikulya Ryot Mahasabha (RRM), which has identified water diversion and poor management as major contributors to the river’s depletion, has asked the government to create a comprehensive strategy to guarantee the river’s continuous flow. The present condition of the river is a result of a number of factors, including encroachment, irrigation project renovations, and dam building, according to RRM Secretary Simanchal Nahak. “To oversee efficient water management and conservation efforts, the Rushikulya Development Authority (RDA) must be established immediately,” he advised.
The Rushikulya river is important for more than just agricultural irrigation; it provides essential water for major cities like Berhampur, Chhatrapur, and Gopalpur, and it also sustains a wide range of local businesses and lives.
