AHMEDABAD: The monsoon may be deficient in the state, but there good news and bad news. The good: 220 dams have 235 million cubic metres (mcm) more water than last year, but regions like South Gujarat and Saurashtra have less water in their dams as compared to 2010.
The situation is critical in Saurashtra, where water levels were just 34 per cent of what they were last year. Even South Gujarat's dams have 16 per cent less water as compared to last year. The mighty Sardar Sarovar dam too has 195 mcm less water than in 2011. The Sardar Sarovar currently has 4,112.42 mcm water against a storage capacity of 5,265.84 mcm.
Officials said dams in northern, eastern and central parts of Gujarat have more water and as a result the overall situation in the state shows an increase in water levels.
The dams in Saurashtra and South Gujarat have less water compared to last year. Officials said South Gujarat has 458 mcm less and Saurashtra 438 mcm of water less than last year.
Officials said that in Saurashtra, the irrigation department has had to release water from dams to save crops. Officials said that the 135 dams in Saurashtra had 225.78 mcm water but following demand, the department released water about one mcm of water.
Officials said that only around 30-35 per cent of projected groundnut sowing has only taken place so far, and it is getting late for farmers as it is a delicate crop.
Data gathered until last week shows that groundnut has been sown in 3.95 lakh hectares in the state as compared to 6.56 lakh hectares in the corresponding period last year, a state agriculture department official said.