Pune: Citizens may face water cuts due to low rainfall in catchment areas of dams

Pune: The water stock in four dams – Khadakwasla, Panshet, Temghar and Varasgaon – that supply water to the city is just 8.5 TMC – 29.39 per cent of the total capacity – which can quench the thirst for just four to five months more. If this water stock is given to other villages and local bodies, then it will be enough for just two more months.

Rainfall in the catchment areas of these dams has been low till mid-July which has prompted the water resource department to issue a warning about the depleting water levels in these dams. Due to the low water levels in Khadakwasla dam, some parts of the city like Katraj, Dhankawadi, Balajinagar and Sinhagad Road – are facing water supply cuts for the past few days.

The cumulative capacity of all four dams is 26 TMC. Monsoon arrived in time this year, but there hasn’t been much activity in the catchment areas as well as Pune city and adjoining areas. Last year in 2019, the combined water level of the four dams was at 6 TMC in mid-June. Later, the rainfall had increased in catchment areas and Khadakwasla dam started overflowing while other dams also saw water levels rising.

Vijay Patil, Executive Engineer, Khadakwasla Irrigation Division said, “Pune Municipal Corporation gets 1400 MLD (Million Litres per Day) water every day. Apart from Pune, other villages and local bodies are also dependent on the four dams and we have to supply water to them too. Looking at the current water stock in the four dams, Pune city will have enough water till September end.”

Praveen Gedam, Superintendent Engineer of Water Supply Department of PMC said, “Due to the decreased water levels in the dam, the 3000 mm diameter pipeline – between Khadakwasla dam and Parvati Water Station – is partially filled due to which some parts of the city are witnessing water cuts. If rains are delayed further, several parts of the city will get water supply with low pressure and may have to face cuts too.”