18 Reservoirs In Gujarat On High Alert: 3,703 People Evacuated In State Amid Heavy Rainfall
Ahmedabad: Gujarat is experiencing an intense start to monsoon this year, with several regions witnessing record-breaking rainfall. As a result, water levels in reservoirs across the state have surged rapidly. Thirteen reservoirs have already reached full capacity, prompting the government to issue a high alert for a total of eighteen reservoirs.
This dramatic onset of the monsoon has caused the average water level in 206 reservoirs across Gujarat to rise to 46.21 percent. Among the reservoirs now filled to 100 percent capacity are Dhatardi-Surajwadi in Amreli, Rojki-Bogad in Bhavnagar, Goma-Bhimad in Botad, Kali-2 in Dahod, Vaghodia in Jamnagar, Kalaghogha in Kutch, Vansal, Limbhogavo 1, and Subari in Surendranagar, as well as Doswada in Tapi. In addition to these, 31 more reservoirs are currently between 70 to 100 percent full, while 35 are between 50 to 70 percent, and 59 are between 25 to 50 percent. Meanwhile, 68 reservoirs still remain below 25 percent of their storage capacity.
The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River has also seen a significant inflow of water. Due to continuous rainfall in Madhya Pradesh, around 54,032 cusecs of water have entered the dam from upstream. The current water level in the dam stands at 118.08 meters, while the dam’s full reservoir level is 138.68 meters. The increased water availability has allowed authorities to activate the CHPH 1 powerhouse and four turbines at the RBPH, generating substantial revenue for the state.
In a notable update, Ahmedabad has witnessed one of the most vigorous starts to the monsoon in recent history. So far, the district has received 24 percent of its average seasonal rainfall, an amount higher than what has been recorded in the past decade by this time of year. As of June 28 in 2024, the city had only recorded 4.74 percent rainfall, making the current figure a remarkable increase.
The impact of this relentless rainfall has extended beyond rising reservoir levels. It has significantly disrupted daily life in many parts of the state. So far, a total of 3,703 people have been evacuated from low-lying and vulnerable areas. These include 117 people from Botad, 80 from Amreli, 2,308 from Bhavnagar, 134 from Surendranagar, 2 from Tapi, 79 from Narmada, 266 from Surat, 500 from Panchmahal, 173 from Vadodara, and 44 from Navsari. In addition to these relocations, rescue operations have been carried out for 676 individuals who were trapped due to flooding and landslides.
With heavy rains expected to continue in the coming days, authorities remain on high alert. The state government is closely monitoring the situation, especially in areas where reservoir levels are approaching or have exceeded safe limits. Emergency teams have been deployed across districts to manage potential flash floods and provide immediate relief to affected communities.