Rajasthan: Dams need few good spells of rain to reach full capacity

JAIPUR: With monsoon likely to arrive in the next 24 hours, engineers at various dams across the state have started preparations to set up flood control cells.
Jaipur Met office on Tuesday said the south-west monsoon is likely to enter the state from Jhalawar. “Humidity levels are increasing and it appears that the state will get its first monsoon rainfall by Thursday,” weathermen said.
Rana Pratap Sagar in Chittorgarh had received a good monsoon rainfall due to which it currently has 2078.540 cusec metres of water against its full capacity of 2905.230 cusec metres. “Presently, it is 71.54% filled and it needs two good spells of monsoon. We have set up our flood control cell and are ready to welcome monsoon,” said an engineer at the dam.
Bisalpur Dam that caters to the drinking water and irrigation needs of Tonk, Ajmer and Jaipur was merely 5.93% filled last year prior to the onset of monsoon is presently 56% filled.
“This year Bisalpur dam needs three good spells in its catchment areas to get 100% filled,” said an officer at the dam.
Similarly other dams including Mahi Dam (Banswara), Kota Barrage (Kota) and Jawahar Sagar also await good monsoon though they have got a good storage of water.
“Last year, Hadauti region had a good monsoon and all its dams have got its water level up to 90%. Thus, if excess rainfall takes place, we will have to be prepared for looking for safer areas to release water,” said an officer.