Gujarat has witnessed a substantial enhancement in its water reservoirs, following a significant rainfall event that delivered a noteworthy 1,322 million cubic metres (MCM) of water into the state’s dams over a span of three days. This influx, recorded from 8am on Saturday to 8am on Tuesday, marks a vital boost in the state’s water storage capacity amidst ongoing monsoon conditions.
The recent rainfall, which equated to 23% of Gujarat’s seasonal average of 883 mm, has significantly improved water levels across the state’s reservoirs. However, the Narmada dam reported a minor decrease of 93 MCM in its water level, with an inflow rate of 3.38 cusecs and a release rate of 3.40 cusecs. Despite this decrease, the overall storage situation has shown marked improvement compared to the previous year. Data from August 24 indicates a shortfall of 630 MCM in storage compared to the same date last year. However, the situation has improved due to heavy rainfall on Tuesday, leading to an increase of 538 MCM in storage compared to August 27 of the previous year. The 17 dams in Central Gujarat experienced the most significant gain, with an additional 745 MCM, while Saurashtra reservoirs benefited from an inflow of 314 MCM.
The comprehensive data highlights that out of 207 dams, including the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Canal (SSNL), the total inflow reached 1,322 MCM. Among these, 20 dams in Kutch saw a modest increase of 39 MCM, reaching a total storage capacity of 332 MCM. Of the 206 dams, excluding SSNL, 96 dams are now over 90% full, with 78 reaching full capacity and nine more around 85% full. The remaining dams show varied levels of storage, with 19 holding between 80% and 90%, seven between 70% and 80%, and 84 dams having less than 70% capacity. This influx is a critical development for Gujarat, alleviating some concerns regarding water shortages and enhancing the state’s ability to manage its water resources more effectively. The substantial increase in reservoir levels reflects a positive shift in the state’s water management efforts, highlighting the impact of recent weather patterns and the importance of continued vigilance and planning in the face of variable climatic conditions.
