Narmada River Turns Fierce: 23 Gates of the Dam Opened for the First Time This Season

The Narmada River has taken a fierce form as the water level of the Narmada Dam has reached 135.94 meters. With an inflow of over 4 lakh cusecs from upstream, 23 gates of the dam have been opened up to 2.50 meters for the first time this season. The dam is currently just 2.74 meters below overflow level. In the past 24 hours, the water level has risen by 40 cm, prompting authorities to issue an alert to 27 villages.

27 Villages in Vadodara, Bharuch, and Narmada Districts on Alert

Around 4.46 lakh cusecs of water is being released through RBPH and canal systems. In addition, large volumes of water are being discharged from Omkareshwar Dam. To maintain the rule level, water has been gradually released from the Sardar Sarovar Dam since last night.

Currently, the inflow from upstream is 4,99,918 cusecs, while the outflow is 4,46,592 cusecs, putting 27 villages in Vadodara, Bharuch, and Narmada districts on high alert. The river is flowing close to both banks in several stretches.

Villages on Alert

• Vadodara District: Chandod, Karnali, Ansoya, Shinor, Dariyapura, Malsar, Nareshwar.
  
• Bharuch District: Velugam, Asa, Panetha, Bhalod, Jhagadia, Bharuch city, Ankleshwar, Sarkuddin, Khalpiya, Juna Chapra, Juna Kashiya, Borbhatha Bet, Sakkarpor, Juna Punagam, Borbhatha, Nava Tariya.
  
• Narmada District: Ori, Sisodra, Varacha, Poicha, Bhadam, Rundh, Dhamanacha, Dhanpor, Guvar, Magrol, Rampura, Regan, Vasan, Vadiya, Virpur, Tilakwada, Ganrshida, Chudeshwar, Varwada, Sengpura, Gambhirpura, Surajvad, Vansla, Indravarn, Akteshwar, Garudeshwar, Sanjaroli, Gabhana, Nana Pipariya, Vagadia, Navagam, Limdi, Surpan, Mokhdi, Gora, Thvadiya.
  

Residents of these villages have been advised not to go near the riverbanks and to follow all safety instructions issued by the administration. Arrangements have been made to shift people to safer places if necessary.

Flood Situation Near Ankleshwar

Due to rising water levels, Ankleshwar Mamlatdar Kiran Singh Rajput and other officials have inspected villages likely to be affected. The administration is closely monitoring the situation, and officials have urged riverside residents to remain cautious. Local authorities are fully prepared to handle any emergency.

What is a Cusec?

A cusec means one cubic foot of water flowing per second. One cubic foot equals 28.32 liters.

• 1 cusec = 1,699 liters per minute = 101,952 liters per hour.
  For example, when 210,776 cusecs of water are released, it means 21.48 billion liters per hour are discharged. This measurement unit avoids confusion when dealing with such large figures.

Previous Openings of the Dam

• On August 1, 15 out of 23 gates of the dam were opened to release 3.27 lakh cusecs, and alerts were issued to 27 villages and low-lying areas of Bharuch.
  
• Since its completion with 30 radial gates in 2017, the Narmada Dam has overflowed several times.
  
• The first full overflow occurred in 2019, followed by 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and now 2025 — marking the sixth time gates have been opened.
  
• In 2021, due to weak rainfall, the dam did not fill completely. This year, however, it has reached full capacity a month earlier.

Sardar Sarovar Dam – Lifeline of Gujarat

Located near Kevadia in Narmada district, the Sardar Sarovar Dam is not only vital for Gujarat but also supplies water and electricity to Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

History of the Dam

• Foundation stone laid on April 5, 1961 by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
  
• Project took shape in 1979 with World Bank assistance.
  
• Construction began in 1987, but in 1995, the Supreme Court halted it due to the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
  
• Work resumed in 2000, and in 2017, the dam’s height was raised to 163 meters.
  
• On September 17, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the completed dam.