Pulse of Bhopal, the level of Upper Lake

A sufi shrine in silhouette on the majestic sweep of the Upper Lake. As the gentle lapping water on Takia Tapu dramatically swells with lashing rain, transforming the island into a sliver of its magnificence, Bhopalis know by their instinctive lure of the lake about the exact water level. During the monsoon, nothing touches the Bhopali psyche more than the rise and fall of the level of Upper Lake.It’s an odd tension, a fetish, an eccentricity that keeps the city glued to its pride and passion.
The mystic’s shrine has miraculously never submerged even during a deluge and for Bhopalis every rising inch of the lake level is a rapturous awakening even when it’s well past midnight. The criterion of good rain is the health of its very own Upper Lake.
The majestic water body is not limited to being a mere tourist attraction or a drinking water source, the man-made marvel is an integral part of Bhopali life for generations.
Bada talab kitna bhar gaya? This is what people are keen to know after every good spell of rain. Irrespective of age, religion or socio-economic background, the level of the lake is the pulse meter of Bhopalis and a topic of discussion from the patiya to the bedroom.
City-based realtor, Vipul Prakash, a resident of Arera Colony, said, “The level of Upper Lake is discussed in my house every day. The practice goes back to over two decades when we lived in Professors’ Colony. My late grandfather, Ram Prakash Pandey, would take me to the lake and tell me about its water level. He would do it instinctively. During monsoon, the first thing I look for in the newspapers is the Upper Lake level,” he said.
Though the municipal corporation measures the level every day, Bhopalis have their own benchmark.
Other than the swelling water around Takia Tapu, residents of Khanugaon on VIP Road side of lake, make their own assumption through the water’s proximity to their homes. Those coming from Bairagarh side, measure it from the water inching towards the road.
Level of submergence of Yacht Club is another benchmark. Similarly, wall running parallel to the lake at Boat Club side gives an idea of the lake’s health to visitors.
Residents of New City feel there should be a website or a special arrangement by a government agency to help them track the Upper Lake level.
Middle-aged businessman, Satish Dubey, says, “This is my daily ritual during the monsoon. There are hundreds like me who want to know about the level, but are dependent on media reports. The government should do something to keep us in the loop,” he said.
Full-tank level of lake also leads to opening of sluice gates of Bhadbhada dam, which is no less than Niagara Falls for Bhopalis. “I pray, the city gets so much rain that the lake attains its full-tank level and I could see water gushing out from Bhadbhada. Standing near the dam with a bhutta in my hand, takes away all my stress. And I feel proud to be a resident of the city of lakes,” said a banker, Ranjeeta Verma.
Officially, the full-tank level of Upper Lake is 1666.80 feet. Its level on Saturday was 1662.40. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.