Rainfall in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh raises water level in Ukai Dam

The dam authorities have opened seven gates up to 6.5 feet high to discharge the water. Of the total amount, 16,986 cusecs was discharged for hydro-power generation. The rule level of the dam as on September 10 was 340 feet.

According to sources in the flood control department of Surat, rainfall in different talukas in South Gujarat, from 8am to 6pm, was measured at 255 mm in Umarpada taluka (Surat district), while Nizar taluka in Tapi district recorded 66 mm. In Navsari, Khergam logged 60 mm of rainfall as against Chikhli’s 45 mm. In Surat, Bardoli, Palsana, and Kamrej recorded 36 mm, 34 mm, and 30 mm of rainfall respectively.

Talking to The Indian Express, Ukai Dam Superintending Engineer Hemant Chaudhary said, “The main reason (behind the discharge) is that several areas in the upper catchment of Ukai Dam lying in MP and Maharashtra have received rainfall. Apart from this, the dam receives 40,000 cusecs of water from Hathnur Dam, and 60,000 cusecs from Prakasha Dam. Both these dams are in Maharashtra.”

Chaudhary said, “The present water level in Hathnur dam is 211.77 meters while the danger level is 214 meters. On the other hand, the water level in Prakasha Dam is 108.60 meters while the danger level is 111 meters.”

He further said, “The water discharged from Hathnur Dam reaches Prakasha Dam and finally, the total discharged water from both the dams reaches the Ukai Dam. Even today, Umarpada taluka in Surat district received around 10 inches of rainfall and the water found its way into the Ukai Dam. ”