SHILLONG: After a gap of many years , an alert was sounded by the Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited (MePGCL) for the residents and the persons in the downstream of the Umiam reservoir not to engage in any activity in the banks of Umiam river following the swelling of the river. As per the reading of Saturday , the water level stands at 3216.32 feet whereas as the full capacity is 3220 which means that with just four more feet , the dam will be full.
In an alert issued on Saturday, the Superintending Engineer , MePGCL said that it is apprehended that in case a very heavy rainfall continues in the catchment area of the Umiam dam, the reservoir may become full, which will necessitate the opening of the gates of the Umiam dam to allow the flood to pass through.
“All persons residing or working in the downstream of the Umiam reservoir are therefore cautioned against engaging in any activity near the banks of the river Umiam, since the level of water in the river may suddenly rise due to the opening of gates in the dam”, the official said.
However, the official said that all efforts will be made to regulate the discharge of water through the dam to the minimum.