Four gates of the Atal Sagar Madikheda Dam in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district have been opened following continued rainfall, with a combined 654.494 cubic metres of water being released per second into the downstream system. The development comes as the district’s cumulative average rainfall for the season has crossed its normal level.

According to rainfall figures provided in the report, Shivpuri has received 846.53 mm of rain so far this season, which is 30.23 mm above the district’s normal average of 816.30 mm. The district had recorded 764.46 mm of average rainfall up to Friday, with 82.07 mm added over the following 24 hours.

The India Meteorological Department has also forecast heavy rain conditions in Shivpuri for September 5 and 6.

Madikheda Dam Water Level Rises

The rising inflow has pushed up the water level of Madikheda Dam, which is built across the Sindh River.

At 11 am on Saturday, the dam’s water level was recorded at 345.10 metres against its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 346.25 metres. This leaves the reservoir approximately 1.15 metres below its FRL.

The dam currently has about 755.40 million cubic metres of live storage, equivalent to 90.49% of its total live-storage capacity of 834.83 million cubic metres.

Four Gates Opened for Water Release

The dam gates were first opened on Friday, September 4, as water levels continued to rise.

By 10 am on Saturday, gates No. 5 and 6 had been opened by 1.25 metres each, while gates No. 4 and 7 were opened by 0.75 metres each. Gates No. 3 and 8 remained closed.

The combined gate opening was therefore four metres.

Through the four open gates, 519.074 cubic metres per second of water was being released. An additional 135.42 cubic metres per second was being discharged through the power house.

Together, the gate and power-house releases amounted to 654.494 cubic metres per second flowing downstream.

Water Storage Reaches 90.49%

The Madikheda reservoir has a total capacity of 834.83 million cubic metres, while the available live storage was reported at 755.40 million cubic metres.

At 90.49% of capacity, the reservoir remains below its FRL, but continued rainfall and inflows have prompted controlled releases through the gates.

Madikheda Dam is an important water structure in Shivpuri district and lies on the Sindh River. Local authorities and dam officials have been monitoring the situation amid the ongoing rainfall. A local report had earlier said the dam’s gates were opened on September 4 as water levels approached the full-reservoir level. (Mama Ka Dhamaaka)

Badarwas Records Highest Rainfall

Among Shivpuri’s tehsils, Badarwas recorded the highest cumulative rainfall at 916.50 mm, according to the figures in the supplied report.

Other rainfall totals were:

• Shivpuri: 892.70 mm

• Pichhore: 882 mm

• Narwar: 872 mm

• Karera: 870.10 mm

• Pohri: 845 mm

• Bairad: 842 mm

• Khanadhana: 758.50 mm

• Kolaras: 740 mm

The figures show significant variation across the district, although the overall seasonal rainfall has moved above the normal average.

Heavy Rain Forecast to Continue

The latest IMD forecast indicates that Shivpuri could continue to receive heavy rain on September 5 and 6, with generally cloudy conditions expected.

With the reservoir already holding more than 90% of its reported capacity and further rainfall possible, water discharge from Madikheda Dam is likely to remain an important development for downstream areas.

Residents living along the Sindh River and in other potentially affected low-lying areas should follow local administration and dam-authority advisories and avoid entering the river or approaching areas with strong water flow.