Shetrunji

The Shetrunji is one of the major rivers of Saurashtra. It rises at Chachai hills in Gir Forest of Junagadh district of Gujarat at an elevation of 380 m above mean sea level. It flows towards east direction and empties into the gulf of Cambay. The total length of this east flowing river from its origin to the outfall is 182 km. The river drains an area of 5514 sq.km. The basin is situated approximately between east longitudes of 70⁰ 50’ and 72⁰ 10’ and between north latitudes of 21⁰ 00’ and 21⁰ 47’. The Shetrunji receives several tributaries on both the banks. There are 9 tributaries having length more than 15 km. Out of which Safara, Shel, Kharai and Talaji are four tributaries on the right bank and remaining five tributaries viz. Stali, Thebu, Gagadia, Rajawal and Kharo are on the left bank. The drainage system on left bank of Shetrunji is more extensive as compared to the right bank area. The district wise distribution of drainage area is shown below:

The catchment area, length and elevation of source, of the important tributaries are tabulated in the following table.

The average rainfall in the Shetrunji basin is 604 mm. In winter, the minimum temperature varies form 6⁰ C to 18⁰ C. At present, there are 16 completed irrigation schemes. “Shetrunji Irrigation Scheme” is a major project and remaining 15 projects are medium irrigation schemes. The only one H.O station of CWC is at Luwara.