2 weeks Ago
Surat: An important link between the Rander and Singanpore areas of the city, the causeway on the weir across the Tapi, has been closed to traffic for 129 days. For the first time, the causeway has remained closed for the entire monsoon and after it due to water overtopping it. According to the authorities at Ukai dam and the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), the weir will continue to overflow for the next few days as inflows continue at Ukai dam.
Ukai dam is full and is receiving 6,000 cusecs of water from upstream. Almost the same volume is being released from the dam. Since Kakrapar dam is also full, the water is flowing downstream.
The reservoir of the weir is also filled and is thus overflowing. The water level is over six metres at the weir-cum-causeway. "Every year, we open the causeway a few times when there is no heavy discharge of water.
This year, due to the continuous heavy rain and discharge of water, water has been overflowing since the start of the monsoon," said an official of the city's hydraulic department. The causeway was closed to vehicles on July 1 and has remained closed ever since. "This is likely the first time that the causeway has been closed for such a long period.
Discharge from Ukai is yet to stop," the officer added. Meanwhile, through the release of water from Ukai, one 75-megawatt hydropower plant is operational. "As there is no demand for irrigation currently, water is released through the hydropower plant.
About 6,000 cusecs is being released from dams upstream and is flowing into Ukai," said an official at Ukai dam. The upstream dams in Maharashtra are full and hence additional water they are receiving is being released..
