Bhubaneswar: The state government has ordered a probe against a private hydropower plant in connection with the recent flood in Odisha’s Keonjhar district.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has asked the Keonjhar Collector to launch a probe against Baitarani Power Project Private Limited, that operates a hydropower plant on the Baitarani river.

The state government ordered probe against the private hydropower plant amid allegations that the discharges from its reservoir had aggravated the food situation in Keonjhar.

As per the allegations, the plant released water from its reservoir soon after Keonjhar witnessed a spell of heavy rainfall recently. The flood situation in the district worsened due to the discharges from the plant’s reservoir.

Several places in the district had witnessed severe waterlogging due to the discharges from the plant’s reservoir during the monsoon last year, alleged the locals.

The Revenue and Disaster Management Minister has asked the Keonjhar Collector to conduct a probe against the private hydropower plant and submit a report at the earliest.

The state government will initiate action against the private plant after receiving the probe report.