Water released from Sardar Sarovar dam for Kharif crops

About 5,000 cusec of water was released today from Sardar Sarovar dam on river Narmada at Kevadia village in neighbouring Narmada district.
The move comes after Chief Minister Anandiben Patel recently ordered Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd to increase the amount of water released from the dam in view of heat wave prevalent in Suarashtra, Kutch regions and parts of north Gujarat and to save standing Kharif crops.
The Kutch, Saurashtra region is experiencing extreme daytime temperatures of 41-42 degree Celsius.
"Water will be released from the dam in a phased manner and a highest of 12,000 Cusec (water) is being planned to release in the coming days. It is being done after the chief minister took the decision to increase the capacity of water released for saving standing Kharif crops," a SSNL official said.

Earlier, water from the Sardar Sarovar dam was released into the canals in June but this summer, owing to severe heat wave conditions farmers appealed to the government to release water for farming in May only.
The state government conceded the demand as an urgent measure to save Kharif crops from withering away.
"Water is being released through the existing Narmada canal, sub canal and minor canals and Sujalam Sufalam pipeline networks," the official said.