Telemetry system at Ukai dam by next monsoon

SURAT: Taking lessons from the devastating floods that caused havoc in the city in 2006, the authorities have decided to equip Ukai dam with satellite-based telemetry system. This will provide the authorities information about inflow of water into the dam 24 hours in advance, enabling them to plan efficiently the release of water into Tapi River. This system is likely to be operational by 2011 monsoon.However, regulation of outflow will be possible from this monsoon itself as the gates of the dams have been connected with an automation system.
NP Chauhan, superintendent engineer, Ukai dam, told TOI, "The Central Water Commission (CWC) has started to install the equipment."
SK Mishra, executive engineer, CWC, Tapi division, said, "The work has begun to install satellite-based telemetry system at Ukai and Kevedia Colony. However, at least 300 days are needed for completion of installation of the equipment. We will be able to use the system from next monsoon."
Once the telemetry system is installed, data will be collected automatically at the earth station and sent to the Ukai dam authorities, providing them enough time to regulate the release of water. The dam authorities will know in advance the water inflow upstream and the situation of reservoir at a particular time.
"The new system will initially work on trial and error basis. However, the safety factor will increase as advance information on water inflow will be available," Chauhan said.
Meanwhile, the 22 gates of Ukai dam have been automated and based on the data provided by the CWC, the dam authorities will regulate the release of water.
"This computerised system will remove chances of manual errors. We will be able to avoid an unfortunate situation like in 2006 when we found it difficult to open the gates to release the water," said a deputy engineer at Ukai dam.
Executive engineer, Ukai dam, AK Mahakal, said, "The computer will be fed the data automatically and it will calculate the amount of water in the reservoir at a particular time. It will also decide on release and its priority."
UK Adhyaru, deputy engineer, Ukai dam, said, "This programme guides us as to which gates should be opened first and which only half in advance."
Box: Monitoring system in place
The Ukai catchment area is spread over 62,500 sq km and has rainfall data collection centres at 15 places in Gujarat, 12 in Madhya Pradesh and three in Maharashtra. The Ukai dam authorities have placed their engineers at Hathnoor, Ghidhade, Marane and Dahigaon gauge centres to monitor the situation. tnn