Ukai dam levels rise by 8 feet in 48 hours

SURAT: With the fears of draught looming large for the first time in last decade over South Gujarat due to scanty rains till now, there is good news for the farmer community of Surat, Navsari and Tapi District.

Following good amount of rains in upstream of Tapi river basin in Maharastra and MP during last 72 hours, Hathnoor dam authorities released large amount of water paving the way for filling up process of Ukai dam. Sk Mishra, Officer in-charge of Central Water commission( CWC) in the area said, " Ukai received 145MCm or nearly 14.20 lakh cusecs of water in 12 hours ending 10 am in the morning and will receive another 75 MCM or 7 lakh Cusecs of water by 10 pm on the night of Thursday."

This will swell the levels of Ukai reservoir to nearly 312 feet , a rise of nearly 8 feet in 48 hours. Ukai dam authorities recorded inflow of 1,10,315 cusecs of water at 10 am and the dam levels were recorded at 310.91 feet. An officer said, " By 10 pm tonight we will cross 312 feet."

With the monsoon not bringing the rains as it should, there is a fear of water shortage if the dam doesn't get filled up to its rule level of 331 feet by August end.

During the last few years it is observed that by the end of July, dam levels reach to 325 feet and by August end they reach the rule level of 331 feet. However this year due to lack of good rain in the upstream basin of Tapi river; water was not received in sufficient quantity till date. This is the first big influx of water in the reservoir this season and has kindled the hope of revival for the region as irrigation of Surat, Tapi and major parts of Navsari district depend on Ukai water. It is also the only potable water source of water for the population of nearly 60 lakh people living in Surat city and nearby areas of the district.

The region is nearly 25 per cent deficient till date in terms of rain fall.