The water level at Ukai dam is just 13 feet lower than the rule level and the reservoir is expected to be full to its capacity by the end of the monsoon. The authorities concerned expect the dam to be full up to 335 feet by the time the season ends.
The rule level is 333 feet and the water level on the first of August 1 was 320 feet. The water level in the dam will rise by another two feet as the present inflow of 33,516 cusecs into the reservoir is expected to continue for at least another 48 hours, official sources said.
“Surat city will not face any water crisis next year till June,” said an official of the water department of Surat Municipal Corporation. “In 2009-10 too, we had a similar situation and the dam was full up to just 325 feet at the end of the season. However, we did not face any water problem. If the dam is full only up to 325 feet level, it will be okay to meet the water requirement of the city,” he added.
However, a Ukai dam official said they are not opening any gates of the dam for hydropower generation as there is shortfall of water.
Meanwhile, many parts of south Gujarat recorded at least three inches of rainfall on Monday. Gandevi recorded 68mm, Chikhli 56mm, Vasda 46mm, Valod 51mm, Vyara 46mm, Songadh 33mm, Mahua 37mm, Palsana 22mm and Wagai 40mm of rainfall.
Surat city had a cloud cover for most part of the day but recorded just 2mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours.
Source : The Times of India