40 dams full,downstream areas on alert

Speaking to The Indian Express,Chief engineer (Irrigation) J B Patel said the irrigation department and other government agencies have been alerted for any emergency in the downstream areas of these dams since rains in the state were still continuing.

According to Indian Meteorological Department’s director Kamlajit Ray,the current spell of monsoon will likely lead to a heavy downpour over the next two days.

Among the major dams that have crossed 90 per cent of their storage capacity are Wanakbori in central Gujarat,Bhadar in Rajkot and Brahmani in Surendranagar district.

This is the situation despite the fact that the state has received 10 per cent less rains that it receives till August 12 every year. Ray said Gujarat on an average received 442mm of rainfall annually but so far,it had received only 398 mm rainfall.

According to details available with the state irrigation department,of the total 200 big and small dams in the state,16 in north Gujarat were till Friday filled up to 40 per cent of their storage capacity,16 in central Gujarat were filled up to 65 per cent of their storage level and 13 dams in south Gujarat were filled up to 56 per cent of their storage capacity while 135 others in Saurashtra region were filled up to 65 per cent of their storage capacity. This indicated that central Gujarat and Saurashtra received the maximum rain so far during the season.

Kutch has received the minimum rainfall,with 20 dams in the region were reported to have been filled up to only 26 per cent of their total storage capacity.

According to irrigation department,a total of 40 dams were filled up to 90 per cent and above of their storage capacity by Friday afternoon,11 others were filled up to 80 to 90 per cent and 133 others were filled up to below 70 per cent of their storage capacity.

Narmada Dam has its fill

According to the irrigation department,water level at Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam reached 120.24 metres on Friday afternoon against its crest level of 121.92 metres. According to officials,the dam was filled up to 94 per cent of its total storage capacity.