Gujarat Water Resources Minister Kunwarji Bavaliya on Tuesday visited the Sant Sarovar Dam in Gandhinagar and directed officials to alert residents in low-lying areas along the Sabarmati River about possible flooding.
Several villages in Ahmedabad district, including Daskroi, Dhandhuka, Bavla, Sanand and Dholka, have been affected by rising water levels.According to a media report, the minister assured that the situation is under control as rainfall has reduced in northern districts.
“There is no need to panic as inflows are easing with less rainfall in the catchment areas,” Bavaliya said after reviewing the situation.
Meanwhile, two youths trapped in the Sabarmati riverbed in Dholka were rescued in a joint operation by the local administration, NDRF teams, and the Saroda Gram Panchayat. Roads in the area were closed, and residents have been advised to stay away from the river.
Heavy rainfall in Sabarkantha and Banaskantha has led to a sharp rise in water inflows at Dharoi Dam, from where water is being gradually released since August 23. As of Tuesday, Dharoi stood at 617.22 feet with 82% storage. Downstream, water release has affected Sant Sarovar, Vasna Barrage, and other sites along the Sabarmati.
In Mahisagar district, Kadana Dam opened 11 gates late Monday night, releasing one lakh cusecs of water and putting nearly 128 villages across Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Kheda, Anand, and Vadodara on alert.Overall, Gujarat’s 207 dams have recorded 81.43% storage, with total gross storage of 20,567 MCM—1,329 MCM higher than last year.
Region-wise, storage stands at 77.88% in South Gujarat, 89.81% in Central Gujarat, 69.49% in North Gujarat, 78.78% in Saurashtra, and 60.39% in Kutch.The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada is just four metres below its full reservoir level, currently holding 77.79% live storage.
To mitigate flood risk, SSNNL is generating hydropower through its riverbed and canal head powerhouses.