Good rains raise water level in Chhattisgarh dams

With Southwest monsoon picking up pace, Chhattisgarh has been receiving modest rainfall that resulted in the rise in water level in dams and reservoirs across the state.

The monsoon arrived in Chhattisgarh a month after its scheduled arrivalresulting in delayed agriculture work. With no rainfall in the catchment areas, the water level in the dams and reservoirs in the state also started depleting.

In last 10 days, the state had received good rainfall that accelerated the agriculture work besides increasing the water level in the dams and reservoirs. According to officials in the water resources department, the dams and reservoirs had been filled up to average 76 per cent to its capacity when the last figure came in on Monday.

The officials have heaved a sigh of relief as they would now be in a position to release water for irrigation and also for other uses. The depleting water level followed by the prediction of short rainfall had baffled them.

The state has two major dams; Gangrel and Hasdeo Bango. Both the dams had been sourcing water in a major area for irrigation besides meeting the requirement of industries. While Gangrel had been providing water to Bhilai Steel Plant and other small industries located in Durg and Raipur areas, Hasdeo dam had been a lifeline for the industries in Korba and Raigarh district."Both the dams (Gangrel and Hasdeo Bango) had filled above 80 per cent to its capacity," the department officials said.

The state has 42 dams and reservoirs. On average, it had been filled to 76 per cent of its capacity, the officials added.