Water Released from Tandula Reservoir into Rivers and Canals Following Villagers’ Demand During Good Governance Festival

Raipur, May 2026: Acting swiftly on the demands raised by villagers during the Su-Shasan Tihar (Good Governance Festival), the Balod district administration has started releasing water from the Tandula Reservoir into nearby rivers and local canals to address the severe drinking water crisis caused by intense summer heat.

The move is expected to provide major relief to residents of Gureda village and several surrounding rural areas facing difficulties in accessing water for daily use.

Notably, a public grievance redressal camp under the Su-Shasan Tihar initiative was organised in Gureda village on May 18, 2026. A large number of villagers from Gureda and nearby villages attended the programme and highlighted the acute water shortage due to the extreme heatwave conditions. The villagers submitted a request seeking the release of water into the Tandula River.

Taking immediate note of the issue, Commissioner of Durg Division, Satyanarayan Rathore, and Balod Collector Divya Umesh Mishra directed officials of the Water Resources Department on the spot to release water from the Tandula Reservoir. The decision was taken to ensure the availability of water for drinking and other essential needs during the harsh summer season.

Executive Engineer of the Water Resources Department, Piyush Dewangan, said that acting promptly on the instructions, the department began releasing water from the Tandula Reservoir on May 20, 2026.

He informed that water supply has now started flowing into the Tandula River through the escape channel system and is also being supplied through the Gundardehi distributary branch canal.

Villagers in the affected areas have expressed happiness over the administration’s quick response and appreciated the proactive efforts of the district administration and the Water Resources Department in resolving the crisis.