Heavy rains during the week have led to increased water levels.
The heavy rains in the past few days in and around Gujarat have led to a sharp rise in the water levels of dams across the state.
From 45% or so last week, the dams are now more than 58% filled. This effectively means that there is adequate water stored in the reservoirs to meet drinking water needs of the state till the next year.
According to state water resources department, total water storage capacity of 200 dams in the state is 5.63 lakh million cubic feet (mcf) while water stored, as of August 13, is 3.28 lakh mcf, i.e. 58.17% of the total capacity.
The Sardar Sarovar dam is now filled more than 96%. As against total capacity of 1.86 lakh mcf, water stored in the dam is 1.79 lakh mcf. The dam's crest level is 121.92 metre, while the water level has already touched 120.85 metre.
The water stored in 16 dams of central Gujarat is 67.77%, the highest in the state. The reservoirs in Saurashtra region, which has received highest rainfall in the state so far this season, are 66.6% filled.
Water resources minister Nitin Patel said that there was adequate water in the dams to meet drinking water needs of the state till the next monsoon season.
Reservoirs in south Gujarat are around 58% filled. Dams in north
Gujarat are almost 42% filled.
Meanwhile, 45 reservoirs which have got 90% or more water of their capacity have been put on high alert. Most of these dams are in Saurashtra.
Among the 17 major dams, Machhu I, Machhu II and Bhadar dams in Rajkot district and Brahmani dam in Surendranagar have been put on high alert.
Eleven other dams, including Kadana reservoir in Dahod, have been put on alert, while warnings have been issued at 16 other dams. The state had not witnessed much rain in the initial phase of monsoon which had also affected sowing operations.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}