Water levels rise in Vishwamitri, Ajwa dam

Vadodara: As the rain continued to pour down on the city and its surroundings, residents of Vadodara watched anxiously as the water level in the Ajwa reservoir and Vishwamitri river began to rise steadily. However, there was no discharge of water from the reservoir into the river. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) had decided to hold off on releasing water, a decision that drew a collective sigh of relief from citizens.Water from parts of Vadodara district and Panchmahal district flows into the Ajwa reservoir. Most of these areas received heavy rain since Friday night and intermittent rainfall for a couple of days earlier.VMC officials are monitoring the situation closely due to the heavy rain. The level in the Ajwa reservoir has been increasing since Saturday afternoon, with the level reaching 212.20 feet at 6pm from 212.05 feet at noon.The Vishwamitri was flowing at 16.4 feet at noon on Friday but reached 17.25 feet at 6pm. Currently, there is no discharge from the Ajwa reservoir into the river.According to protocol, the level in the Ajwa reservoir had to be maintained at 212.5 feet till the end of Sep. After that, it can be increased to 213 feet for the rest of the year. The VMC had also been given permission to adjust the level of the reservoir in case of heavy rain to prevent a flood of the Vishwamitri river. During the recent August flood, the VMC raised the gates of the reservoir to manage the water level and protect the city. While the Vishwamitri was still below its danger mark of 26 feet, there were a few areas, including Indiranagar, that were at risk of flooding."The water enters some low-lying areas when the river reaches 22 feet. We will arrange for buses for these areas if the river reaches that level and shelter will be kept ready," VMC commissioner Dilip Kumar Rana told mediapersons at the city command and control centre.Rana clarified that the situation was comfortable and there was no need to panic. He said only people in low-lying areas need to be vigilant and requested citizens to beware of rumours. Rana pointed out that the water level in the Vishwamitri is expected to stabilize, but this will depend on whether it rains.