Bisalpur Dam only 29% full despite good rainfall

AJMER: Despite good monsoon rainfall, Bisalpur Dam currently has water to only 29% of its capacity. Water level at the dam on Sunday was 310.16 metres, which indicates a volume of water that can be supplied to Jaipur, Ajmer and Tonk districts only till October.

Officials said the seasonal Triveni river, which is the major source of water to the dam, is still not flowing because of lack of good rainfall in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Rajasmand districts.

The dam has a height of 315.5 metres and it was overflowing last year in August. Even in 2022, on August 26, the dam overflowed. But this time, when the first spell of monsoon started in last week of June, only 50 cm of water level rose in the dam.

"There were good showers around Bisalpur Dam in Kekeri and Tonk, but less water came to the dam because the real source is the Triveni," said an official posted at the dam.

On July 5 this year, there were good rains in Tonk and Ajmer districts, and water level which was 309.66 metre went up to 310.21 metre on July 13. But after that, the water level started decreasing, and on Sunday, the water level recorded 310.16 metre and had a capacity of 11.242 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), which is nearly 29% of the capacity of the dam.

"We can supply water for drinking purpose till 299 metre and after that, supply is not possible," added the official.

The dam's construction started in 1994 and the height of the dam was increased to 315.50 metre in 2000 to hold 39 TMC of water.