Vadodara: In some relief to the people of Vadodara, the government has decided to shut the gates of Ajwa dam and Pratappura reservoir.

Municipal Commissioner today evening through a video statement informed about this decision.

He said the level of Vishwamitri river reached 37 ft mark, following which the city witnessed 5 ft water logging. As per the rule Ajwa dam’s water level has to be maintained at 212 ft mark, but in order to reduce the level of Vishwamitri river in Vadodara and for fast decrease in water level, the government has decided that Ajwa dam’s gates are to be closed even at the present level of 213.65 ft.

The government has also decided to shut the gates of Pratappura reservoir, he added.

MLA Keyur Rokadiya who was present at the city control room informed that the district collector has decided to release the water in Dhadhar river from Dev dam. It’s important for the city because Dhadhar river when carries its own water to fullest, it is unable to carry the water of Vishwamitri river which merges with Dhadhar after Vadodara city. Due to closure of Dev dam gates, Dhadhar will be able to carry the water of Vishwamitri and therefore Vishwamitri’s level will go down effectively.

With closure of gates of Ajwa and Pratappura, 15,000 cusecs load in Vishwamitri will decrease which will in four to five six hours result into two to three ft decrease in water level on the bank of river Vishwamitri. The gates can be opened at later stage is there’s more inflow of water in Ajwa and Pratappura.

Akota MLA Chaitanya Desai said five to six ft water is likely to decrease and the level may come to 29-30 ft by morning with the decision to close the gates of Ajwa dam, Pratappura and Dev dam.

It’s worth noting that the source of water for Vishwamitri river is Ajwa dam and Pratappura reservoir. The river today rose above 35 ft level which was much higher than the previous two floods in 2014 and 2019. The danger mark of Vishwamitri which is measured at Kalaghoda bridge is 26 ft. The level of water at Ajwa was above 214.84 ft yesterday, but it went down below 214 ft today.

The city of Vadodara will be able to get back its routine only if the water level of Vishwamitri goes below 30 ft. DeshGujarat