Gujarat records 55% monsoon rainfall; Sardar Sarovar Dam at nearly 60% capacity
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Gandhinagar: Gujarat has recorded 55.26 per cent of its average seasonal rainfall so far, with heavy showers significantly boosting water levels in reservoirs and agricultural activity across the state. The Kutch region has received the highest rainfall at 64 per cent of the seasonal average, followed by South Gujarat (59.11%), North Gujarat (54.04%), Saurashtra (54.02%), and East-Central Gujarat (51.64%), according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
As a result of the widespread rainfall, 28 of the state’s 206 dams have reached full capacity. The Sardar Sarovar Dam, a crucial water source for the state, is currently at 59.42 per cent capacity, holding 1,98,503 million cubic feet (MCFT) of water. Collectively, all reservoirs in the state are storing 3,40,817 MCFT, about 61.06 per cent of their total capacity.
Authorities have placed 48 dams under high alert, 19 under alert, and 23 under warning due to rising water levels. Out of the 206 dams, 62 are filled between 70 and 100 per cent, 41 between 50 and 70 per cent, and 38 between 25 and 50 per cent. The highest rainfall in the past 24 hours was recorded in the districts of Tapi, Valsad, and Navsari.
The monsoon has also given a strong push to agriculture, with kharif sowing completed on 58.38 lakh hectares, about 68.23 per cent of Gujarat’s cultivable land. Groundnut has been sown across 19.42 lakh hectares, while cotton has covered 19.62 lakh hectares.
Emergency services remain active across the state. As of Friday, 4,278 people have been relocated to safer areas in 10 districts, and 689 individuals have been rescued by teams from the local administration, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned fishermen along the Gujarat coastline against venturing into the sea until July 28 due to rough conditions.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has reported full restoration of power in all areas affected by rain-related disruptions. The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) confirmed that no bus routes or services have been suspended as of Friday due to weather conditions.
