Tapi swells further, water inundates low-lying areas

Surat: As the Tapi river swelled further following inflow from Ukai dam, water entered a few low-lying areas of Rander. Some encroachment on the bank of the river near Chowk Bazaar too got submerged. The river water covered the embankments in the city adding to the excitement of citizens who visited the river bank to see it flowing from bank to bank on Wednesday.
Water entered Bhagunagar in Rander and Mora Bhagal circle areas. Hanuman Tekri and Vairav flood gates too were closed. At the causeway, the water level reached 9.46 meter.
Meanwhile, the situation at Ukai dam gradually improved as the inflow of water decreased to 2.13 lakh cusecs after rising to over 3 lakh cusecs for a few hours on Tuesday night.
Due to the discharge of water from dams in Maharashtra, the water level had started rising in Ukai dam and it went above the rule level. The discharge is likely to decrease from 2 lakh cusecs soon. Some water will be stored above rule level in dams to run the hydro-power generators.
“Initially the water level was brought below the rule level to accommodate the additional water coming from upstream. The situation is now normal. Regulated release of water below 2 lakh cusecs did not impact Surat city,” said Bachha Nidhi Pani, city municipal commissioner.
In Ukai dam, the water level was 333.38 ft on Wednesday evening against the rule level of 333 ft.
“Heavy water inflow into the Ukai dam from the catchment areas and rain in the downstream area would have created a challenging situation for Surat city. However, with no rain downstream, there was no impact of water released from the dam,” said an official at Ukai dam.