Surat collector stresses on increased carrying capacity of Tapi

Surat, 26 September 2013

According to the Collector of Surat Shri Jayprakash Shivhare, there’s a need to increase river Tapi’s carrying capacity. It is the only long term option available to tackle floods. He said Tapi’s carrying capacity is 4 lakh cusec at present, but it should be 6 lakh. Shivhare suggested that illegal structures on the bank of river Tapi need to be removed.

But the idea of increasing carriage capacity is highly controversial even at concept level. Firstly, it will cost too much. Secondly, there no guarantee of success because lot of silt will continue to come along with the water.

Meanwhile the irrigation department is in action to set up 4 gauge stations at Nizampur, Khetiya, Sagbara and Taloda for perfect measurement of rainfall.

District Collector of Surat said that around 3,175 people affected by Surat flood will be given Rs. 25 cash dole per day.

Meanwhile the irrigation department officials say that the flood situation in Surat was due to cumulative effect.

According to Superintendent of Irrigation department Shri AD Kanani, 22 inch rain water released from Hathnur dam reached Sarangkheda on 23 September. But 7 inch rain was already witnessed at that place. So 22 inch plus 7 inch water reached Ukai at one go. At the same time the local areas had 17 inch rain. Due to such cumulative effect, the department couldn’t figure out the actual situation.