SURAT: The authorities concerned may announce 20% water cut in the Diamond City by October-end, which will be a first in the past one decade because of water shortfall in Ukai reservoir caused by a deficient monsoon. Surat at present draws 1,100 MLD of water from Tapi river daily.

The average annual rainfall in south Gujarat is 1,700 mm, but this monsoon season it has received just 600 mm. The catchment areas of Tapi river on which Ukai dam has been built have experienced around 50% less rains. Ukai reservoir is filled 90% to its capacity by this time of the year, which is not the case in 2015. The rule level for September is 340 feet but the water level in the dam was just touching 332.39 feet, sources said.

"We have 4,500 million cubic meter of water in Ukai dam. It would have been better if had another 1,000 MCM of water. We can somehow manage to meet our requirement for this year," said AD Kanani, superintending engineer, irrigation circle, Surat.

Surat draws nearly 332 MCM of water (1,100 million litre per day) from the dam every year. The reservoir also supplies 35 MCM of water every year to Valsad, Navsari, Bardoli and Vyara towns for drinking purpose.

About 3,400 and 800 MCM of water is required to meet irrigation and industry's needs, respectively.

"We wish there are rains and the water level in the dam touches the 340 feet mark. Else, we will have to impose water cut by October-end. People should use water judiciously," municipal commissioner Milind Torwane said.

No extra water during immersion

Surat: Ukai dam authorities release water at the rate of 80,000 cusecs into Tapi river to facilitate immersion of idols of Lord Ganesh every year. However, there is little possibility of this on the day of immersion on September 27 because of less water in the dam.

"If heavy rains lash catchment areas of Tapi river and 1,000 MCM of water flows into Ukai dam, then certainly water will be released for idol immersion," Ukai dam authorities said.

