Sambalpur: Power generation at the Chiplima Hydro Electric Project has been disrupted since July 21 after flood waters entered into the premises.

Rainfall of 622mm in Burla and adjourning areas caused heavy flooding in the area and water entered into the power house, causing damage to the generation system.

"We have to dismantle total turbine units and make dry each component. It will take time," Debasis Mishra, senior engineer in charge of the power project told The Telegraph. "How many days it will take to complete the work is not known," he said.

The power project, situated on the downstream of Hirakud dam about 30km from here, has three hydro turbine power units. It is managed by Odisha Hydro Power Corporation. Each turbine can generate 24MW. Two machines were in operation and generating about 4243MW on average," Mishra said. The first unit, being very old, was under total maintenance.

Heavy rain on the night of July 21 flooded the area and started entering into the power house at 3am. Six employees on duty inside the power house tried their best to close off the iron gates to prevent the entry of water, but failed as the flow was too forceful. The employees stopped the turbine and managed to come out and saved their lives.

Odisha Hydro Power Corporation director Sanjeev Kumar Tripathy visited the power plant and reviewed the situation on Thursday. He directed the officials to take up the work and assured that, if required, the corporation would seek assistance from experts from Bangalore.

With the total suspension of power generation from Chiplima, power supply to various rural areas in the district had been affected for two days. Power supply to these areas was restored after a line was connected to the central grid.

The authorities have also shut down the narrow bridge to the Ghenteswari Temple, the famous tourist spot situated on the other side of the hill, because of flood and maintenance work.