Vadodara: Vadodara Municipal Corporation(VMC) has released 9,120 cusecs water from Ajwa dam by opening its all 62 gates. Water is also released from Pratappura reservoir. The water will flow in Vishwamitri river which passes through the city of Vadodara. However Vishwamitri’s level has been brought down to less than 13 ft before releasing water from Ajwa and Pratappura. The river is therefore not going to get closer to danger level of 26 ft.

VMC’s Standing Committee Chairman Shital Mistry shared this information. He said – ‘Ajwa’s water level is 213.65 ft today while Vishwamitri’s water level is  12.63 ft. There’s no rainfall for past four-five days. Today the city also saw sun light. Vishwamitri’s flood water has receded and Vishwamitri river’s level is safe at 12.63 ft while Ajwa’s level is 213.65 ft. So the administration has decided today to open the gates of Ajwa and Pratappura. There’s no rainfall in catchment of Vishwamitri and this is safe stage to release water. The administraion is keeping close eye on the level of Vishwamitri, but our past experience suggest that the level in the river will not make any problem.’

It’s worth noting that due to flood of Vishwamitri in Vadodara city, the government has taken a decision to pause the release of water from Ajwa and Pratappura at 213.65 ft level, even when as per the rule, it was required to bring down to the level of 212 ft. Thanks to this decision, the flood water of Vishwamitri receded after over 24 hours. At 213.85 level Ajwa would release water on its own as per its mechanism, but rainfall stopped and Ajwa’s level after going to 213.75 went down to 213.65 again. VMC would now gradually take the level at Ajwa down as per the rule, so that the next spell of rain in September may not create further complicated situation. DeshGujarat