Gandhinagar: Gujarat govt has decided to release additional water from the Narmada project for irrigation during the ongoing kharif season while directing officials to closely monitor drinking water availability amid concerns over rainfall and reservoir inflows.The decision was taken at a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief minister Bhupendra Patel.To ensure adequate water reaches farmers through the Narmada canal network and the Sujalam-Sufalam pipeline system, govt announced three key measures. Under the first decision, 5,000 cusecs of Narmada water will be supplied to the Mahi command area for 20 days to support irrigation needs.Govt also extended the supply of Narmada water through Link-1 of the SAUNI Yojana to Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar, districts that have recorded among the lowest rainfall in the state. The supply, which began on Aug 19, will continue for another 10 days to protect standing crops.In another measure, the state has decided to continue supplying 2,000 cusecs of Narmada water to North Gujarat through the Sujalam-Sufalam pipeline for an additional 15 days.The meeting reviewed the possible impact of prevailing El Niño conditions on rainfall and water availability across the state. Officials were instructed to continuously monitor reservoir levels and ensure optimal use of available water resources.Patel directed officers to prioritise drinking water requirements if rainfall remains inadequate and reservoir inflows do not improve. He also instructed authorities to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply in both urban and rural areas, particularly in water-scarce and vulnerable regions.The chief minister appealed to citizens and farmers to use water judiciously and support water conservation efforts.
