As the monsoon season in this year bid adieu, Gujarat government has decided to release water from Narmada dam for irrigation in North Gujarat and Saurashtra region to save dying crops. The state government took decision after the meteorological department gave the indication of end of monsoon season in Gujarat.
The deputy chief minister and minister for Narmada department Nitin Patel made this announcement on Friday. More than 4 million acre feet(MAFt) water will be released for irrigation and 1.5 MAFt water will be kept reserved for drinking purpose.
The government has promised that 20,000 cusec water will be released from Saturday for twenty days from Sardar Sarovar Dam. The water for irrigation will be supplied in 1.27 lakh acre area of North Gujarat and Saurashtra region.
This would save crops like paddy, lentils, groundnut, castor, cotton and other cash crops. The CM Vijay Rupani had called an urgent meeting on Thursday of his deputy Patel and senior officials to call the shot on water supply for irrigation.
Talking to media persons on the issue, Patel said, "As much as 800 cusec water will be released for North Gujarat region through Sujalam Sufalam project covering Arvalli, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Patan and Banaskantha districts. While 1,200 cusec water will be released for irrigation in all the districts of Saurashtra region through SAUNI project."
"Rural parts of Ahmedabad district shall receive water from Narmada river through Fatehwadi canal and 62,000 acre area of the district will be irrigated. We have also decided to fill ponds, reservoirs of dams, tanks and lakes in parts of Gujarat region which come under command area of Narmada project," Patel added.
The deputy CM said that out of total 9 MAFt water allocated to Gujarat region by Narmada Control Authority, income of only 5.84 MAFt water was recorded this year in reservoir at Sardar Sarovar Dam due to less rainfall. He also added that against the income of water recorded last year of 5.60 MAFt, that of the current year remained a bit higher.
"Narmada has got a bit more water but Gujarat had received good amount of rainfall last year that filled many of reservoirs and tanks recharging ground water. The hardship this year is that almost the tanks and reservoirs of dams in Gujarat remained near to empty due to scanty rains," the deputy CM added.
Patel also added that additional pump would be installed at water station near Surendranagar to supply additional water for irrigation and drinking purpose in Kutch region.
Scenario in central Gujarat
Main source of water in this region, Kadana dam is filled at 80% of total capacity that would suffice the demand of water for drinking and irrigation purpose in Anand, Kheda, Panchmahals and Dahod districts. Vadodara district received sufficient rainfall and no major concern is there.
Situation at Sardar Sarovar Dam
Against total storage capacity of 7.7 MAft, 4.75 MAft is live storage capacity of the dam. Dam reservoir is filled at only 39% of total live storage capacity while 63% of total capacity. Daily 12,000 cusec water is being released from gates at present for irrigation.
Question for Ravi crop stands
Generally Gujarat region does not need irrigation for Kharif crops due to monsoon, but lesser rainfall has necessitated release of water at this stage. The water used for irrigation for Ravi crops will be used for Kharif for the same reason and it is possible that no water could be available for Ravi crops.
Reservoirs to be filled
Aji-1, Machchhu-2, Vadod, Aankadiya, Bhimdad, Goma, Thol lake and other.
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