BHUBANESWAR: Odisha has cleared a Rs 105.62-crore project to tackle water scarcity in Balangir. The State Cabinet approved the tender for an in-stream water storage structure. The amount excludes GST. The structure will come up across the Lanth River near Tustapali village. The Lanth is a tributary of the Tel and flows through the Saintala block. Work is slated for completion within 30 months. The Southwest Monsoon brings nearly 90 percent of the region’s rainfall.
Most of it falls between June and October. Much of this runoff drains into the sea unused. The area then faces an acute shortage during the dry months. The new structure will hold monsoon water within the riverbed itself. This will create a crucial reserve for the lean season.
The project will ensure year-round drinking water to 12 drought-prone villages in Saintala. Livestock, fisheries, and rural livelihoods will also gain from steady water access. These sectors usually suffer badly during seasonal dry spells. The storage is expected to recharge groundwater aquifers across the area. It will also help stabilise the local ecosystem against desertification. The project aims to build lasting climate resilience in this drought-sensitive district.
Also Read: IMD launches new cyclone warning system to strengthen preparedness
