Gujarat: Surat on Alert After 1.23 Lakhs Cusecs of Water Released From Ukai Dam

Surat: Parts of south Gujarat received heavy rain on Saturday resulting in increase in water level which is standing at 335.10 feet. The increase in water level has also been attributed to the release of 1.23 lakhs of cusecs of water from the Ukai dam. 

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel spoke to collectors and asked them to take all steps to give relief to people, including timely evacuation, as well as ensure safety of livestock.

The CM said the State and National Disaster Response Forces (SDRF and NDRF) teams were deployed and available for required assistance.

Amid rainfall in catchment areas, the water level of Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam rose sharply and stood at 135.30 metres on Sunday, just a few metres below its full-reservoir capacity of 138.68 metres, officials said.

As per SSNNL officials, the dam reservoir was receiving 2,65,748 cusecs water from upstream, and 15 radial gates of the dam were opened for discharge.

"While 1,75,000 cusecs water was flowing out through the gates, 36,975 cusecs water was being released into the river from the riverbed powerhouse and 23,081 cusecs from canal head powerhouse," an SSNNL official said.

The state's 206 reservoirs had 3.64 lakh million cubic feet of water as on Sunday, which is 65 percent of their total storage capacity, officials said.

Out of these 206 reservoirs, 72 were put on high alert, and 15 on alert due to sharp rise in their water level, they added.

The state has received 81.81 per cent of average annual rainfall so far this season, with south Gujarat receiving 97.52 per cent, Kutch 90.18 per cent and Saurashtra 84.92 per cent.

As per SEOC data, Gujarat's north and east central regions have received low rainfall compared to the southern part and Saurashtra-Kutch.

North Gujarat has so far received 64.91 per cent of average annual rainfall, while east-central Gujarat has received 68.84 per cent, the SEOC data showed.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast of 'heavy to very heavy' rain at a few places with isolated 'extremely heavy' rain in south Gujarat districts, including Vadodara, Surat, Bharuch, Navsari, Valsad, and in Amreli and Bhavnagar in Saurashtra region till Tuesday morning.

The IMD also forecast 'heavy to very heavy' rain with isolated 'extremely heavy' rain in Anand, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Morbi, Dwarka and Kutch districts on Tuesday.

(With inputs from Agencies)