Pune’s water security faces a critical juncture as reservoir levels in the Khadakwasla circle dwindle amidst delayed monsoon showers, prompting authorities to urge judicious water usage to mitigate potential shortages in the coming weeks.
As of Monday, the cumulative water stock across the four dams in the Khadakwasla circle stood at 3.7 TMC (13%), marking a decrease from last year’s 4.7 TMC recorded during the same period. Despite recent weeks seeing subdued rainfall, state irrigation officials affirmed that sufficient reserves are currently in place to cater to Pune’s water requirements until mid-July. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which draws approximately 1.5 TMC of water monthly from Khadakwasla, is advised to manage water consumption prudently to avert an acute crisis. Monitoring efforts by the irrigation department extend across major dam sites surrounding the city, emphasizing the need for significant rainfall to bolster water levels in critical reservoirs.
An official from the irrigation department highlighted the shortfall in current water stocks compared to last year, attributing it to scanty rainfall in the catchment areas of Panshet, Varasgaon, and Khadakwasla dams, with only Temghar reservoir recording noteworthy precipitation. The forthcoming three weeks are deemed pivotal, with hopes pinned on improved rainfall by the end of June to alleviate the water deficit. Earlier decisions by the irrigation department to halt water discharges from Khadakwasla to rural areas underscored cautious water management practices pending favorable weather conditions. Future allocations will hinge on the revival of rainfall activities, pending further updates from meteorological forecasts.
While the total capacity of the four dams in the Khadakwasla circle amounts to 29.15 TMC, last year’s monsoon shortfall prevented reservoirs from reaching full capacity. Expectations are now directed towards July and August, traditionally peak months for catchment area precipitation. Meanwhile, concerns over dwindling water reserves extend to the Bhama Askhed dam, currently holding 1.15 TMC (15%) of its capacity as of Monday. This reservoir plays a crucial role in supplying water to eastern parts of Pune such as Wadgaonsheri, Chandannagar, Lohegaon, and Vimannagar, necessitating continued monitoring and conservation efforts. As Pune braces for the monsoon’s decisive impact on water security, stakeholders remain vigilant, emphasizing sustainable water management practices to navigate potential challenges ahead.
