Bhadar Dam: Gujarat

The Dam Safety Organisation of the Central Water Commission has recommended replacement of floodgates of Bhadar dam which were damaged in the flash flood of 2015.

Key Points

• About Bhadar Dam:
  • Bhadar dam is located in Rajkot and is second largest in Saurashtra region after Shetrunji dam 
  • Bhadar dam is on the Bhadar River in Saurashtra region in Gujarat 

Bhadar River:

• The Bhadar is one of the major rivers of Kathiawar (Saurashtra) peninsula in Gujarat 
• It originates near Vaddi in Rajkot district at an elevation of 261 m above mean sea level.
• It flows through the Saurashtra region and finally confluence with Arabian sea at Naviobandar (Porbandar).
• The total length of this river is 198 It drains about 1/7th of the area of Saurashtra.

Flash Flood

• Flash floods are typically associated with short, high-intensity rainstorm 
• These are sudden surges in water levels during or following an intense spell of rain 
• These are highly localised events of short duration with a very high peak and usually have less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood 
• The flood situation worsens in the presence of choked drainage lines or encroachments obstructing the natural flow of water 

Central Water Commission (CWC)

• The Central Water Commission is the apex technical organisation in the country for development of water resources and is an attached organization of the Ministry of Water resources 
• The Commission is responsible for initiating, coordinating and furthering, in consultation with the State Governments, the schemes for control, conservation, development and utilization of water resources throughout the country for the purpose of irrigation, flood management, power generation, navigation etc.