On the evening of Tuesday 15th Sept., 98 the authorities of
Ukai dam were forced to release water at the rate of 4 Lac cusec. On 14th Sept
98 the water level of Ukai reservoir was at 338 feet which emerged today at 342 feet which
is just 3 feet less than the danger level of the dam.
This increase in the water level was
due to immense low pressure system established near "Burhanpur" district of
Madhya Pradesh which is almost 350 miles far from Surat. Due to low pressure heavy rain
was prevailing at the origins of river Tapi. All the 152 villages in the way located
nearby the banks of Tapi were cautioned and the people residing at lower areas were
requested to shift at higher places. Surat was RED ALERTED. All the 22 gates of the dam
were unbolted. The state government and the district collectorate of Surat were constantly
monitoring the situation. A meeting was held between district collector Mr. R.M Shah and
higher officials, to discuss the abrupt situation. As an urgency, action plan was set up
to take necessary precautionary measures to cope up with flood.