Punes Dams Hold Enough Water for the Year Amid Delayed Monsoon Concerns
Pune residents can breathe a collective sigh of relief. According to the latest report by the state irrigation department, the city’s dam reservoirs have accumulated enough water to meet domestic needs through the remainder of the year—even if the monsoon continues to falter. The health of Pune’s water supply has long been dependent on four major dams—Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon, and Temghar. This year, thanks to an early burst of pre-monsoon rain and proactive water management strategies, all four have recorded healthy water levels, quelling fears of urban water shortages in the near term.
As of the latest update, Khadakwasla dam is filled to 57.70% of its total storage capacity. This reservoir is vital to Pune’s drinking water supply, and its current level is considered more than adequate for this time of year. Similarly, Panshet dam, a key supplier for both agricultural and domestic use, is at 57.43% capacity. Varasgaon, another major reservoir, currently holds 63.42% water, and Temghar, often the slowest among the four to fill, has reached 47.36%. In the broader Pune division, other crucial reservoirs are showing similar trends. Mulshi dam leads the chart with 71.25% water storage, followed by Pawana at 61.40%, Chasakaman at 65.38%, and Vadaj at 69.71%. Dimbhe dam, while lagging slightly at 48.74%, is still well within manageable limits.
These figures have been welcomed by city planners and citizens alike, particularly given the unpredictable nature of the 2025 monsoon season. Although rains have arrived in parts of Maharashtra, delayed onset and uneven distribution have made water planning critical. Fortunately, urban Pune’s situation appears stable. A senior irrigation department official told Pune Pulse, “If consumption patterns remain within norms and there are no long dry spells later in the year, this current storage can comfortably supply Pune’s domestic needs through to the next monsoon.” However, while the city basks in relative security, the rural picture is less rosy.
Across the Pune division—which includes districts like Satara, Solapur, and parts of Ahmednagar—93 water tankers have been deployed to supply drinking water to 81 villages. Satara district is particularly hard-hit, with 45 villages dependent on tankers. Pune district follows with 30 affected villages. An estimated 1.39 lakh people across these regions currently rely on this emergency water supply. This rural-urban disparity isn’t new but is especially pronounced this year, owing to erratic rainfall patterns in catchment areas that feed smaller local reservoirs. These tanks and weirs, which are lifelines for non-metro populations, often miss out when rain clouds favour larger upstream catchments.
To bridge the gap, local administrations are coordinating with district collectors and gram panchayats to deploy additional tankers and initiate borewell-based pumping wherever possible. There are also discussions underway to release controlled water from larger upstream dams to provide relief to the most distressed pockets. Meanwhile, in Pune city, officials are not taking the water availability for granted. Water audits are being conducted across public institutions, housing societies, and government buildings. Citizens are being encouraged to use water judiciously, with advisory notices already issued to bulk consumers and commercial complexes.
Further, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is ramping up its rainwater harvesting inspections to ensure building code compliance. “The abundance we see today should not translate into complacency,” a senior civic official said. “If monsoons continue to stall, or if next year starts off dry, we’ll need every drop to count.” This prudent approach comes on the heels of a broader conversation across Maharashtra about urban water resilience and groundwater recharge. The state government has already hinted at stronger regulation around borewell drilling, groundwater extraction, and stricter penalties for wastage.
Adding to the city’s water resilience are recent infrastructure upgrades, including desilting of reservoirs, maintenance of canal systems, and implementation of digital monitoring systems for dam water levels. These interventions are beginning to yield visible results. On the citizen front, there is cautious optimism. “It’s a relief knowing that our water tanks won’t run dry in the middle of the night like last year,” said Mitali Deshmukh, a resident of Kothrud. “But we’re still being careful—we bucket bathe, and we’ve covered our society’s water tanks to reduce evaporation.”
The focus now shifts to the coming weeks. If July brings a consistent monsoon pattern, the stored water will be augmented, extending buffer capacity and potentially aiding rural areas through regulated releases. However, if dry spells persist, the onus will fall squarely on conservation and efficient distribution. In the meantime, Pune stands as a relatively stable example in a state grappling with water-related anxieties. Aided by favourable geography, timely rainfall, and strategic planning, the city may just avoid the water wars that plague other parts of India during lean monsoon years. But as experts caution, “water security is a year-round discipline, not a seasonal blessing.”
