Pargaon dam repairs have restored the embankment of a Kolhapur-style weir in Daund taluka, helping retain water in the Bhima river after a 2,000-cusec release from the Bhama Askhed dam in October, according to a report by Sakal – Pune. The combined intervention has helped keep around 52,000 acres of farmland in Daund and Shirur talukas under cultivation despite drought conditions.
The northern embankment of the weir at Pargaon was washed away by flooding in the river in July. The damaged section was rebuilt within a month after local representatives sought urgent action and officials from the irrigation administration inspected the site.
The report said the embankment had also been washed away in 2025 and was repaired at that time. After it failed again this year, Rahul Kul and Mauli Katke, legislators from Daund and Shirur-Haveli respectively, visited the damaged location and instructed officials to begin the work immediately.
Kiran Deshmukh, executive engineer of the Khadakwasla project, and Pravin Kolhe, superintendent engineer, visited the weir before the repair process began. The work received equipment support from Naam Foundation, which provided two excavators and three heavy vehicles for voluntary labour, according to the report.
The repaired embankment became operational after water from the Bhama Askhed dam was released into the Bhima river at a rate of 2,000 cusecs in October. The water filled the Pargaon weir and helped support irrigation in farming areas of the two talukas during a period described in the report as drought-affected.
The episode highlights the operational importance of small water-retention structures in the region’s irrigation network. A single damaged embankment affected the ability of the weir to retain river water, while repairs required coordination between elected representatives, irrigation officials and a non-government organisation supplying machinery.
Farmer Santosh Botre thanked Rahul Kul after seeing the repair work begin and acknowledged Naam Foundation’s assistance. Kul said the Bhama Askhed water was released after the dry condition of the Bhima river was observed and that the water had helped keep thousands of acres green during the drought situation. The report did not specify the long-term measures planned to prevent another failure of the embankment.
