Narmada above the danger mark in Bharuch

More than one thousand people living on the banks of river Narmada in Bharuch district of Gujarat were sent to safe places on Tuesday.  An official said that due to continuous rains in the state, its water level rose to 31 feet due to release of water from Sardar Sarovar Dam.

 Bharuch Collector MD Modia said that the river is flowing 28 feet above the danger mark of 28 feet on the Golden Bridge connecting Ankleshwar to Bharuch.  Modia said, "The water level of the river has increased due to release of water from Sardar Sarovar Dam in Kevadia in Narmada district."  He said that one thousand people living in low-lying areas in Bharuch, Ankleshwar and Jhagadia taluka have been sent to safe places.  The collector said, "About 22 villages are affected by the flood waters."

According to the control room of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL), 6.42 lakh cusecs of water has been released in the river after opening 23 gates out of 30 of this large dam.  The water level of the dam reached 136.50 meters, which is just one and a half meters lower than its maximum limit of 138 meters.  The rains continued on Tuesday in the state and according to the forecast of the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Saurashtra and South Gujarat for the next two days.