Gosekhurd dam reaches full level in drought-like year, easing water planning for four districts
Gosekhurd dam hit its final level of 245.50 metres on Tuesday, easing water planning for Bhandara, Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, though backwater flood risk must be managed.
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Bhandara: Rainfall this year was below average, creating drought-like conditions in the state. With water needing to be planned for drinking, farming and livestock, the Gosekhurd dam, which is important for eastern Vidarbha, reached its final water level on Tuesday. The water storage in the dam has touched 245.50 metres.
With the dam full, the districts of Bhandara, Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli are expected to get relief in their water planning ahead. The storage appears set to be sufficient for these districts of eastern Vidarbha.
The state received 25 per cent less rain than average this year. After the monsoon ends, the wait for the next rains will extend until June 2027. As drinking water, farming and livestock needs have to be met over such a long period, using the available storage carefully will be crucial. For this reason, water storage had been planned in the Gosekhurd dam, and all 33 of its radial gates were kept closed.
With the storage complete, the dam's backwater has reached the edge of some nearby villages. Planning the use of the available water will therefore also have to take into account the risk of flooding and the safety of people. The dam was taken to its final level in 2022 as well. Then, parts of the Wainganga basin, settlements and villages near Bhandara city, and a cremation ground went under water. For this reason, the release of water will be planned in phases this year.
After the dam has reached its final level, a meeting will be held with officials of the Gosekhurd project on further planning. The meeting will focus on three matters: disaster management, irrigation and drinking water planning. Disaster management officer Abhishek Namdas said water would be released as needed so that the backwater does not create a possibility of flooding. Even so, the plan is to maintain the level of 245.50 metres.
With the dam full, assurance of water availability has increased. However, deciding how much of this water to use, and for which needs, in the coming months will be important. While giving priority to drinking water, balancing farming, livestock and possible flood conditions will be the main challenge before the administration.
