Gujarat inches towards crisis as water level in most dams fall below 50%

If the Patidar and Dalit agitations were not enough, another major challenge may be in the offing for Gujarat government. The state has received medium to heavy rains during August this year, but despite this, many dams have insufficient water storage for drinking purposes, especially in north Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch regions.

According to data from water supply department, of 203 dams, 136 dams have less than 50 per cent water available for drinking purpose and of it 60 dams are only 10 per cent full. If the state does not receive good rains in next one and half months, the situation could turn critical for the government. This may become biggest challenge for the new chief minister Vijay Rupani in the Assembly elections to be held next year.

Narmada is the only lifeline for drinking water in many parts of Gujarat. Several districts like Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Kutch and Banaskantha have already been witnessing drinking water shortage and receive just half an hour water supply for domestic use.

If water crisis deepens in the coming days, the Gujarat government is planning to supply water from Narmada dam as they do not have any other choice.

"We are hopeful for better monsoons this year. As on date the situation is under control but if water shortage deepens in Saurashtra, Kutch and other parts of Gujarat, we will supply water from Narmada for domestic use", said Jasha Barad, minister of state, water supply, Gujarat.

According to the water supply department, so far about 11,000 villages have been connected with Narmada drinking water pipeline network, mainly in Saurashtra region.

India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ahmedabad center data suggests that as on August 16, 2016, monsoon deficit in Gujarat stood at 22 per cent. The state has received 369.8 millimeter (mm) rains so far as against normal rains of 472.3 mm. South Gujarat and central parts of the state have received medium to heavy rains in August this year but North Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch regions have medium showering so far during the entire monsoon.

Monsoon deficit has decreased from 45 per cent to 22 per cent in last one month but water level in many dams is not sufficient. According to Narmada, Water Resources, Water Supply and Kalpasar department of Gujarat data, current gross storage in 203 dams is 9,870.33 million cubic meter (MCM), 62.57 per cent of design gross storage of 15,774.24 MCM, while Sardar Sarovar Narmada has overflowed in this month which have storage capacity of 5,265.84 MCM.

Including Narmada the state has 15,136.77 MCM water available for drinking and agriculture purpose. However, agriculture department said that, rains so far are sufficient for the kharif sowing and there is no major issue on the agriculture side.

Official of Gujarat agriculture department informed, "Currently, there is no water shortage for kharif season. The problem may arise in winter and next summer season if monsoon will not be good further."