The Sardar Sarovar Dam is the main source of Narmada water in Gujarat, and currently, only 2 per cent water in the live storage of the total capacity is in the reservoir
Gujarat government's anxiety over its poor monsoon has just aggravated over the scanty rainfall in catchment area of Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is the main source of Narmada water in Gujarat, and currently, only 2 per cent water in the live storage of the total capacity is in the reservoir. Effectively, against its capacity of 5,760 Million Cubic Metre (mcm), there is just 102 mcm water in storage.
With the forecast for the coming days also not suggesting good rains till next month, it spells trouble for more than 65 per cent of population that dependent on it for drinking water and irrigation.
Deputy CM Nitin Patel said, "Situation is not good so far and we all need to understand its seriousness. If there is no rain for the next five days, the water level may go down further and this will push us to stop water supply for irrigation."
He added, "Still, do not lose hope as August and September are the months in which Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat may receive rainfall. We wish there is a good rainfall which could fill all the reservoirs in state. There was 4-inch rainfall in catchment area of Narmada on Tuesday, so that inflow has increased a bit."
The level of water in Sardar Sarovar Dam reservoir was at 111.02 metres, while the gates are at 110.64 metres. So, if there is no rain for another four days, the state will be forced to use water from bypass tunnel, but that will be for drinking purposes only.
WATER WOES
As per the formula of Narmada Control Authority (NCA), Gujarat should receive 9 million acre feet (maf) waterr, but situation indicates only 5.22 maf water in four reservoirs
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