Jayakwadi dam gates open after storage crosses 90%
On Thursday, authorities opened a total of 18 gates by half-a-foot each, releasing 9,432 cusecs into the Godavari river.
The opening of the gates at Jayakwadi, one of Asia's largest dams with as many as 27 gates, drew large crowds who were eager to witness the unusual spectacle.
Security personnel were also present to ensure public safety and prevent people from getting too close to the surging water.
Before the discharge commenced, water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil performed the traditional "jalpoojan" ceremony.
"Efforts will be made to divert 65 billion cubic feet of water from the Godavari, which would otherwise flow into the sea, to water-deficient regions. This initiative aligns with the CM's vision of making Maharashtra drought-free," he said.
Following the water release, the administration has issued an alert to the villages situated along the banks of Godavari, advising them to remain vigilant.
During the function, Shiv Sena MLA Vilas Bhumre demanded that the dam's water be supplied through a closed-pipeline system to prevent wastage.
MLAs Ramesh Bornare, Himmat Udan, Vitthalrao Langhe and Vijaysingh Pandit, along with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district collector Dilip Swami, water resources department executive director Santosh Tirmanwar, superintendent engineers Prashant Sant and Samadhan Sabbinwar were also present.
Jayakwadi currently holds 95.15 TMC of water, with the storage level at 90.13%. On Thursday, the water level in the reservoir stood at 1,520.18 ft, with an inflow of 16,230 cusecs.
"The discharge is being carried out as per the dam's reservoir regulation guidelines," said the authorities.
Vikhe-Patil said govt is encouraging renewable energy projects such as a 12 MW hydropower unit and floating solar panels on the dam. He also announced Rs150 crore for the Brahm Gavhan lift irrigation scheme, promising its completion within a year. "Desilting of the Jayakwadi dam to enhance its storage capacity will also be taken up," he said.
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