Surat: More than 150 million cubic metres (MCM) of fresh water is likely to flow into Ukai dam because of heavy rain in the upper catchment areas of Tapi river in the past two days since Saturday. Thus, the water level in Ukai dam is set to rise from 317 feet to 320 feet in another 48 hours and fill it to 48 per cent of its capacity.Areas like Tiska, Chikhaldhara and Ded Talai in Maharashtra recorded heavy rain on Saturday night subsequent to which the authorities there decided to release 150 MCM of water from Hatnur dam. The water from Hatnur dam will begin to flow into Ukai dam by Monday morning.RM Patel, superintending engineer, Ukai dam, said, “This late rain is welcome as it will help us to release one rotation of water for irrigation from the reservoir. This can also fill the dam to 50 per cent of its capacity.”When the water level in the dam touches 345 feet, it is full to its capacity. A full dam can hold 7,414 MCM of water. At present, the dam has 3,412 MCM of water at 317 feet and it is expected to increase to 3,562 MCM. The dam needs at least 3,500 MCM of water for irrigation throughout the year and 400 MCM of water to meet the drinking water needs of Surat and other towns in the region.

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