The Times of India   14.08.2012

Good spell brings 585 mcm of water into dams

AHMEDABAD: Good rains in the state have brought water to the major and minor irrigation dams in the state. Barring Saurashtra and Kutch, dams in other parts of the state saw some fresh inflows.

Officials said there were considerable water inflows into dams of north, central and southern parts of the state. The 47 dams in north, central and south Gujarat received 587.28 million cubic metres (mcm). However, with no rain in Kutch and Saurashtra, the region's dams have registered a 1.82mcm decrease in water. According to data released by the irrigation department, 202 irrigation dams in the state are holding water at 55.77% of total storage capacity. This was nearly 404.37mcm less than last year.

The four dams in Dahod and Kheda, Machchhanala, Umaria, Wanakbori and Kali-II, are overflowing. Of 202 dams, only 13 dams hold 70% of their capacity. Irrigation officials said dams in North Gujarat, South Gujarat and Kutch saw increased water levels from Sunday. The 17 dams in North Gujarat saw an increase of 10mcm of water, while 17 dams in central Gujarat dams registered an increase of 469.09mcm.

However, water in dams in North Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch had less water as compared to last year. Officials said Saurashtra had 1,488mcm less than last year. Major dams like Ukai and Kadana too had good inflows. While Ukai had received 1.43 lakh cusecs, there was Kadana got 2.90 lakh cusecs.