For the first time this monsoon, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) opened five of the dam’s 30 radial gates on Thursday to allow a “safe rise” toward the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 138.68 metres. The move came after the dam’s water level surged to 131 metres—nearly a four-metre increase within just 24 hours. On Wednesday morning, the level stood at 127.92 metres.
According to a media report, the rise is attributed to a continuous inflow of approximately 4.01 lakh cusecs from upstream dams—Omkareshwar and Indirasagar—in Madhya Pradesh. In response, the Sardar Sarovar Dam began releasing 1.37 lakh cusecs downstream on Thursday. Power generation continues through six units of the Riverbed Powerhouse and one unit of the Canal Head Powerhouse.
The dam, currently 74% full, holds a live storage capacity of 3,500 MCM.The Flood Management Centre of the Sardar Sarovar Dam ordered the gate opening at 11 am on Thursday. District authorities alerted riverbank villages across Narmada district, though they emphasized there was no immediate threat. The controlled release is in line with SSNNL protocol to safely bring the dam to FRL.
Water levels were reportedly rising by seven centimetres per hour.Over the past week, the dam has seen a significant rise—up nearly seven metres from 123.57 metres on July 24. Officials noted that the Indirasagar Dam has opened 12 gates, releasing 4.4 lakh cusecs, while Omkareshwar Dam has opened 19 gates, discharging up to 4.75 lakh cusecs.
According to SSNNL, a total of 137 lakh cusecs is expected to be released downstream to manage the surge. The Flood Control Centre continues to closely monitor the situation, especially as heavy rainfall continues in the catchment areas, including at the Khandwa rain gauge station.