Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have announced the release of water from the Indirasagar Dam (ISP) to the Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) starting today. This decision comes as the Sardar Sarovar Project, located on the Narmada River, surpasses a crucial water level mark. The Indirasagar Dam, the largest reservoir in India, will discharge 9,252 cubic metres per second (cumec), equivalent to 3.32 lakh cusecs, by opening eight of its gates. This substantial release is expected to reach the Sardar Sarovar Dam by Wednesday, following a passage through the Omkareshwar Dam (OSP) in Madhya Pradesh.
The water release aligns with the current conditions at the Sardar Sarovar Dam, which recorded a level of 125.07 metres on Monday. This level reflects significant inflow due to recent heavy rainfall, pushing the dam’s capacity closer to its limits. The Sardar Sarovar Project, a critical infrastructure for both water supply and hydropower, has seen its inflow increase to approximately 95,000 cusecs since mid-July, contributing to a daily rise of about five centimetres in water levels. The dam currently holds around 2,101.02 million cubic metres of water, which is approximately 60% of its total capacity.
In addition to the water release, hydropower generation at the Sardar Sarovar Project is operating at full capacity. Six turbines at the Riverbed Powerhouse are running in 12-hour cycles, alongside two turbines at the Canal Head Powerhouse. This intensive operation aims to manage the increased water flow and generate essential electricity. The Gujarat government has also issued warnings as 47 of the state’s 206 dams are now full. Nearly 10 dams are at over 90% capacity, with 38 more at over 70% capacity, signalling high alert conditions across these areas.
