Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Gujarat govt expands Narmada water supplies amid Kharif rainfall uncertainty
Gujarat is worried that there may not be enough rain and reservoir water for farms and people.
The government approved three extra water-supply measures.
The Mahi Command area will get Narmada water for 20 days.
Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar will receive their supply for 10 more days.
North Gujarat will get water for another 15 days.
These supplies are meant to help irrigation and protect standing crops.
Officials must give drinking water priority if rain and reservoir inflows do not improve.
The government also asked people and farmers to use water carefully.
Gujarat approved three measures to extend Narmada water supplies for Kharif irrigation and standing crops.
The Mahi Command area will receive 5,000 cusecs from the Narmada Project for 20 days.
Narmada water supplies to Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar will continue for 10 additional days.
North Gujarat will receive 2,000 cusecs through the Sujalam-Sufalam Pipeline Yojana for another 15 days.
Officials were told to prioritize drinking water and monitor rainfall, reservoirs and water availability.
- Who
- The Gujarat government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi participating by video conference.
- What
- Approved three extensions or releases of Narmada water for irrigation and crop support during the Kharif season.
- When
- The decisions were made at a high-level meeting; several supplies that began on August 19 were extended.
- Where
- Across Gujarat, including the Mahi Command area, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar and North Gujarat.
- Why
- Because rainfall and reservoir inflows are uncertain, with concerns about water availability and a forecast of below-normal rainfall across much of India in September.
- Mahi Command supply
- 5,000 cusecs from the Narmada Project for 20 days.
- Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar
- Narmada water through Link-1 of the SAUNI Yojana extended by 10 days.
- North Gujarat supply
- 2,000 cusecs through the Sujalam-Sufalam Pipeline Yojana for another 15 days.
- Initial supply date
- Supplies to Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar and North Gujarat began on August 19.
- Rainfall concern
- The India Meteorological Department forecast below-normal rainfall across much of India for September.
- August rainfall
- India recorded a 16% rainfall deficit nationally in August.
- Government priority
- Drinking-water needs will take priority if rainfall and reservoir inflows do not improve.