As Gujarat swelters in scorching heat, water scarcity looms heavily on the state during the coming days.

Currently, 23 dams in the state have dried up completely, while 61 dams have less than 1% of their capacity remaining, according to reports. This situation has heightened worries among farmers who rely on irrigation during summers.

In north Gujarat, there are a total of 15 dams with 668.27 million cubic metres (MCM) of water, which accounts for 34.58% of their total capacity.

Meanwhile, central Gujarat has 17 dams with 1267.94 MCM of water, constituting 54.39% of their total capacity. 

South Gujarat is home to 13 dams with 4582.02 MCM of water, making up 53.17% of their total capacity.

Kathiawar water crisis?

With Saurashtra and Kutch witnessing the highest temperatures, the water level in dams in the regions has also dipped considerably.

Only 38.86% of the total capacity is filled across 20 dams in Kutch while in Saurashtra, 25.53% of the total capacity is filled across 141 dams.

Irrigation water scarcity may loom as a result of heightened demand for summer crops, potentially overshadowing concerns about drinking water shortages.

In Kheda district, 14.03% water levels prevailed in the dams, 14.78% in Surat, 3.97% in Dwarka, 18.34% in Amreli, 22.92% in Botad, 22.95% in Surendranagar and 18% in Jamnagar. 

As the water level stands at 4789.62 MCM  in the Narmada dam, it ensured the water availability until the beginning of the monsoon season.

However, concerns arise as 84 dams in the state are grappling with negligible amounts of water levels. Efforts are being made to prepare for possible water shortages in the coming days, with 106 dams showing signs of significant water depletion.

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Relief from heat in middle of summer brings fear of crop damage in Kutch, Saurashtra