Rising water level in Ukkai dam causes concern in Surat

Surat, Aug (UNI) Incessant rains in catchment areas in Maharshtra have increased water level in Ukkai dam, 95 km away from here.

The heavy rainfall at Hatnur, Charli, Gopalpeda, Bhusawal, Ghidai and Jalgaon in Maharashtra, Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh and Sonagadh in Surat district, increased the water level to 332.80 feet at the Ukkai dam yesterday, the highest water level recorded in last 15 years.

According to sources, if the water in the dam rises to the danger level, the dam authorities may resort to release water from the dam, which can cause flood in the low-lying areas of Surat.

''We are monitoring the situation and any decision to release the water will be taken only after consultation with Central Water Commission and State Irrigation Department. We have already informed about the situation to the district authorities,'' a senior engineer at Ukkai dam said.

Meanwhile, district authorities called a meeting here yesterday to assess the situation and take necessary steps. An alert has been declared in the low-lying areas of Tapi river.

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