Heavy showers help boost water level in Jayakwadi dam

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Amid revived weather conditions, the Jayakwadi major irrigation project from Aurangabad district received inflows worth 7 million cubic metres (MCUM) of water during the past 24 hours, ending Saturday morning.Among other major irrigation projects from the region, Yeldari dam (6 MCUM), Sidhheshwar dam (5 MCUM), Upper Penganga dam (3 MCUM), Lower Manar dam (2 MCUM), and Vishnupuri dam (1 MCUM) also recorded inflows.Authorities from the Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC) said the upstream dams of the Jayakwadi irrigation project situated in Nashik and Ahmednagar regions collectively hold 86% of live storage now.Total 11 major irrigation projects from Marathwada are collectively holding 43% live stock, as compared to 92% stock reported during the corresponding period last year, according to official data.The medium irrigation projects in the region have 23% live storage as against 69% storage last year. Similarly, minor irrigation projects in Marathwada had relatively lower stock, having been filled with 22% live storage as against 58% stock registered last year."With chances of more rains during September as well as during the return phase of the monsoon, the upstream dams are most likely to overflow and further release water towards Jayakwadi dam," a senior GMIDC official said.Notably, Jayakwadi Dam has witnessed the release of water for irrigation needs since September 1. The measure was taken due to an extended dry spell in August and is expected to continue until substantial rains fall in the region."Even if the overall storage in dams in Marathwada is low so far, there could be no crisis involving drinking water. The dams may revive further during the remaining phase of the rainy season," GMIDC authorities said.