To manage the rising water levels in Bargi Dam, authorities opened nine of its 21 gates on Sunday at around 12 noon. Each gate was raised by an average of 1.33 meters. This led to the release of 52,195 cusecs of water per second into the Narmada River. As a result, the river’s water level has increased by around five feet.
Executive Engineer Rajesh Singh Gond said that the water level of the dam was recorded at 417.40 meters at 11 am on Sunday. At that time, 98,741 cusecs of water was flowing into the dam. He said the water discharge could increase or decrease based on the inflow. The dam’s full storage capacity is 422.76 meters, but according to the operation manual, officials plan to keep the level at 417.50 meters until July 31.
The gates have been opened at different levels to regulate the flow. Gate numbers 10, 11, and 12 were opened by 2 meters each. Gates 9 and 13 were opened by 1.5 meters, gates 8 and 14 by 1 meter, and gates 7 and 15 by 0.5 meters each.
The district is seeing steady rainfall this year. As of 8 am on Sunday, the area recorded 17.2 mm of average rainfall. Total rainfall so far stands at 245.3 mm, which is about 21 percent of the district’s annual average. This is higher than last year’s 172.2 mm for the same period. In the past two days, rainfall has been frequent across the district. Sehore city recorded the highest in 24 hours with 48 mm.
Budni has received the highest total rainfall so far at 385 mm, followed by Rehti with 354.4 mm, Bhaironda with 271 mm, Sehore with 242.8 mm, Ichhawar with 235.3 mm, and Shyampur with 217.2 mm. Rainfall has been lower in Ashta and Jawar.
Officials have asked residents in low-lying areas to stay away from the Narmada River and avoid entering submerged or flood-prone zones. Due to the active monsoon, heavy rains in Dindori, Mandla, and Jabalpur have caused the Narmada and its tributaries to swell. This has directly contributed to the rising water levels in Bargi Dam.
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