UPDATE: Kalaghoda bridge over river Vishwamitri is reopened after water level goes down below 28 ft mark. Mangal Pandey bridge also reopened.

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Vadodara: In an ease to the people of Vadodara, Vishwamitri river’s water level has started decreasing today (26 July) morning after continous rise through past two days. The level which was 29.33 last evening has come down to 29 and even below just before 10 am today. The reduction seemed slow but it’s happening, mainly due to lack of fresh rain on July 25 in Vadodara city, district and the parts of Central Gujarat that form catchment area of Vishwamitri and Dhadhar rivers.

Meanwhile, holiday in schools and colleges continues today on the second day. Holiday was declared yesterday as well by District Education Officer(DEO) in view of the monsoon condition. The administration has continued to keep Kalaghoda bridge and Alkapuri garnalu shut for commuters. Kalaghoda bridge may be declared reopened after the water level goes below 28 ft mark. Alkapuri garnalu may reopen after water logging is cleared and the water level ease to 26 ft.

In another development, water release from Ajwa sarovar continues, as the level of water there is still above 211 ft. As per the rules, the level of water at Ajwa dam can’t be permitted to go beyond 211 ft before August 15. The danger level is 214 ft. Vadodara has witnessed Vishwamitri floods in 2013-14 and 2019. The level of Vishwamitri had gone upto 33-34 ft in 2014. The entire city almost was waterlogged. Fearing same, the residents of Siddharthnagar, which is located in low lying area next to the bank of river Vishwamitri parked their vehicles on flyover bridges yesterday. However, no further rain, and favorable condition of Vishwamitri’s water discharge through Dhadhar river and subsequently to the sea saved the city this time, it seems. However fingers are crossed till the monsoon period is over. DeshGujarat