In Gujarat, severe water crisis is raging due to very little rainfall. The surface of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam is 20 meters lower this year than last year. The surface of the Narmada Dam was 135.30 meters on 25 August 2020, while on 25 August this year, the surface of the dam is only 115.81 meters. Currently, the Narmada dam has less than 50 percent water. The state is likely to get irrigation water from the Narmada dam by the end of August, so farmers and the system are waiting for rains.
As many as 23 gates of the dam were opened last year on 28 August at 5 pm crossing 138.68 meters, and Narmada Corporation MD Dr Rajiv Gupta had tweeted a congratulation message, although this year the situation is somewhat different. The weather department, which forecasts good rains and early rains, is also concerned, as there is very little rainfall this year. Narmada district has received only 487 mm of rainfall so far this season. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have received heavy rainfall, but the catchment area from Sardar Sarovar to the Omkareshwar dam has received very little rainfall. At present the water level of Narmada dam is 115.81 meters. The water deficit from upper side is only 41220 cusecs, while the outflow is 13138 cusecs, an increase of only 7 cm in the last 12 hours, which is negligible. After two years of good rains, the Narmada dam reached a maximum surface of 138.68 meters and was forced to open 27 gates of the dam, but this year the situation is reversed. Due to shortage of water in the dam, the state is likely to get irrigation water from the Narmada dam by the end of August.
The Narmada Dam currently has 3.49 million MAF (acre feet) or 45.50 per cent water dead storage. Circumstances are likely to arise for further cuts for irrigation despite the current stretch of rainfall conditions. The Narmada Control Authority has decided to reserve drinking water in the dam till September 30. The remaining water has been announced for irrigation to save the standing crop of the farmers. The current usable water is only 0.55 MAF (acre feet) or 11 per cent, despite the stretched rainfall conditions, which have led to further cuts for irrigation.
The Narmada Dam supplies 125 cusecs of water per day to industries. The state government has decided to provide a total of 36,500 million cubic feet of water for irrigation. North Gujarat will get 2,000 MCFT, Central Gujarat 12,000 MCFT, Saurashtra 2500 MCFT and South Gujarat 20,000 MCFT for irrigation. 9.5 lakh acres of agricultural land will be allotted for irrigation. At present, a water crisis is looming over the lifeline of Gujarat and it will be difficult for farmers in the state to get water.
Looking at the situation as of today last year, the water level of Narmada dam was 135.30 meters and the inflow was one lakh cusecs of water. Compared to last year, Narmada Dam is about 20 meters empty. So now the concern of the system has also increased. That is why the system is waiting for good rains.
