Heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh have caused significant changes at the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam. The water level in the dam has risen sharply due to continuous rainfall in the upstream areas. Initially, five gates of the dam were opened to manage the increasing water inflow, releasing 1.36 lakh cubic feet of water. Later, an additional five gates were opened as the situation developed.
Currently, the water level at the Sardar Sarovar Dam has surpassed 131 meters, which is a notable increase as it crossed the 128-meter mark for the first time this season. At present, the inflow into the dam is approximately 4,01,042 cubic feet per second, while the outflow is recorded at 1,37,137 cubic feet per second.
With the dam being filled to 70% of its capacity, authorities have put the facility on a warning stage. The water level is now just 7 meters below the maximum limit of 138.68 meters. As a precaution, alerts have been issued to 27 villages along the banks of the Narmada River, particularly in the Vadodara and Bharuch districts, where a high alert has been declared.
Since 2017, this is the sixth instance of the dam’s gates being opened. Officials are advising residents in low-lying areas to remain vigilant due to the increased water flow. Over the past 24 hours, the water level in the dam has risen by 3 meters, indicating a significant rise in inflow, which continues at 4,23,270 cubic feet per second.
The hydroelectric power house, which contains six turbines, has also ramped up operations, releasing 43,755 cubic feet of water into the river. From the canal head powerhouse, an additional 14,097 cubic feet is being discharged, with 50,000 cubic feet released due to the opened gates.
This spectacular scene has attracted many tourists, but the authorities are taking precautions. The Narmada Police, along with local police forces from Bharuch and Vadodara, have alerted residents near the riverbanks, advising them against entering the river for safety reasons.
Due to continuous rainfall in the upstream areas and water being released from the Omkareshwar Dam, the level at the Sardar Sarovar Dam continues to rise. On July 31, at 11:30 AM, five gates of the dam were opened by the management to release 50,000 cubic feet of water into the lower regions.
Overall, the total water flow into the Narmada River, including contributions from the riverbed power station and the dam gates’ operations, is expected to reach 86,000 cubic feet per second. Authorities are urging residents in lower areas to be cautious to prevent any accidents or loss of life due to the increased water levels.