Gujarat: Extended lack of rain may cause severe water shortage by Diwali
Dams in Saurashtra currently have 41.44% less water compared to last year
Updated: Sep 7th, 2023
After a promising start to the monsoon in July, August and September have been dry for Gujarat. If the lack of rain continues in the same manner, the state is likely to face a shortage of water by Diwali.
Compared to last year, 217 dams of the state have 10% less water in them, posing a threat of cut-off in the irrigation water supply.
Water availability by region in Gujarat
The total amount of water in Gujarat as of today is 1,93,53,538 million litres, 56,13,063 million litres less than last year.
Considering that the total water storage capacity of Gujarat is 2,52,66,600 million litres, the state is currently at 76.60% capacity.
In north Gujarat, the dams currently have 14,37,088 million litres of water, 12.28% less than last year.
For central Gujarat, 10,93,603 million litres of water is available against the capacity of 23,47,360 million litres. Compared to last year, the water available in these dams is 33.23% less.
Things aren’t as bleak in south Gujarat, however, since the early rains have helped the region quite much. Dams here are running at 77.16% of their capacity, only 2.4% less compared to last year.
The worst hit region of Gujarat by the lack of rain has to be Saurashtra, where the dams have 41.44% less water compared to last year. The dams here may look like they are filled to the brim, but since they are small, they empty out just as quickly as they fill.
82.71% of Gujarat, which amounts to 78,24,412 million litres, is stored in Sardar Sarovar Dam. The dam is currently holding 11.31% less water compared to last year.
The aftermath
Since late July and the entire month of August have been dry for the state, if the rain does not appear for a little longer, be it in Gujarat or Madhya Pradesh, it will create challenges.
There are high chances that the government may impose cut-offs to the irrigation water supply under the fear of drought.
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