Gondia dams release heavy water, all eight gates opened at Pujaritola

Continuous rain a day earlier and heavy inflow of water from upstream areas have caused water levels in dams in Gondia district to rise rapidly. To keep the situation under control, the district administration and the irrigation department have opened the gates of the Dhapewada barrage, Sanjay Sarovar and Pujaritola dam and begun releasing water.

According to the administration, preparations have been made to release 2700 cumecs of water into the natural flow of the river from the Dhapewada barrage over the coming hours. The amount released may increase or decrease depending on the inflow of water into the barrage, and the administration will keep providing updates from time to time.

The release of large quantities of water from the reservoirs is expected to cause a sudden rise in the water levels of rivers and streams. The district administration has therefore appealed to people living along riverbanks and in low-lying areas to remain alert. People have been advised to avoid going near riverbanks, streams and reservoirs for now. The concerned departments have been directed to take necessary safety measures, and instructed to keep people in low-lying areas informed of the situation in time.

The useful water storage capacity of the Sanjay Sarovar dam has reached 100 percent, or 410.610 dlgm. The dam's current water level was recorded at 519.380 metres. To control the water level, two radial gates of the dam were opened to 0.30 metres at 12 noon on September 26. As a result, 96 cumecs, or 3382 cusecs, of water is currently being released into the river.

The water level of the Pujaritola dam is 319.09 metres, while its useful water storage has been recorded at 87.78 percent. Following fluctuations in the water level, the release was changed at 3 pm on Friday. All eight gates of the dam have been opened to 0.30 metres, releasing 180 cumecs, or 6356.70 cusecs, of water into the river.