21 Bharuch villages on alert after Sardar dam opens gates

BHARUCH/SURAT: About 21 villages located close to the embankment of Narmada river in Jhagadia, Bharuch and Ankleshwar talukas in Bharuch district have been put on alert following heavy discharge of water from the Sardar Sarovar dam. Four lakh cusecs have been already released following very heavy rains in the river’s catchment areas on Saturday.
A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) too has been put on stand-by in the district for rescue and relief work following the flood alert issued by the Bharuch district administration on Saturday.
Sardar Sarovar dam authorities said continuous rainfall in the upstream catchment area in Narmada river on Saturday caused the dam to fill with fresh water. The water level at Sardar Sarovar Dam continued to rise since Wednesday and reached 131.13 metres on Saturday evening. The present level of 138.68 metres is only 7.53 metres short from the top level. Till Saturday afternoon, the dam authorities were releasing 4 lakh cusecs of water, which was increased to 5 lakh cusecs by 5pm. In the phase manner, the release of water will be increased up to 8 lakh cusecs till late Saturday night.
District collector of Bharuch, Dr MD Modiya said, “Due to heavy rains in the catchment of Sardar Sarovar dam, the discharge of water has been increased up to 5 lakh cusecs to 8 lakh cusecs. People in low-lying areas in Jhagadia, Bharuch and Ankleshwar have been advised not to venture near the river and stay alert. The administration is fully prepared to meet any eventuality.”
Sources said that the water level at Narmada river in Bharuch touched 17 feet and is likely to cross 30 feet mark by early morning on Sunday with the release of 8 lakh cusecs of water.