Tapi swells with release of 1.76L cusecs water from Ukai

Surat: Tapi river was flowing bank to bank following the release of 1.76 lakh cusecs of water from the Ukai reservoir due to heavy to heavy rains in its catchment areas on Thursday.
According to the dam authorities, the inflow into the reservoir was 1.18 lakh cusecs due to heavy rains in the catchment area. They however said that the discharge from the reservoir will continue to maintain the rule level of 335 feet.
On Thursday evening, the water level at Ukai reservoir is 333.76 feet against the rule level of 335 feet.In the last 24 hours, the catchment areas of the reservoir in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have been pounded with an average of 100 mm rainfall, increasing the water income in the dam.
H R Mahakal, superintending engineer of Ukai dam told TOI, “The release of 1.76 lakh cusecs will continue till the time the inflow does not decrease. We will maintain the rule level of 335 feet at the da.m”
Meanwhile, district collector Dhaval Patel stated that the water released from the dam is flowing into the Arabian sea and that there are no reports of flooding in the downstream areas of Ukai dam. However, the residents in the low-lying areas have been requested to follow the shifting instructions given by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) as and when needed.
Chief fire officer (CFO), Basant Pareek told TOI, “We will shift people from the low-lying areas more than 2 lakh cusecs water is released. At present, the situation is under control and we are keeping a close watch.”