Bhubaneswar, June 16 -- A severe water crisis is looming across several reservoirs in Odisha, with rapidly declining water levels in major dams such as Kolab and Machkund in Koraput district and Rengali in Angul district, triggering concerns over drinking water supply, irrigation, industrial operations, and power generation.

The water level in the Kolab reservoir has dropped to 847 metres, just three metres above its minimum limit, raising alarm for the coming days. Similarly, the water level in the Machkund reservoir has declined by 15 to 19 feet this year. Power generation at the Machkund project has already remained suspended following a recent fire incident.

Experts attribute the crisis to deficient rainfall, destruction of forests ...