Collective stock in 4 Khadakwasla circle dams climbs to halfway-mark, highest June-end storage in at least a decade

Pune: The collective stock in four Khadakwasla circle dams reached halfway-mark of 14.5 TMC against their total capacity of 29.15 TMC on Monday, marking their highest June-end storage in over a decade. Irrigation department officials said the surplus offered a huge relief, especially since the storage exceeded PMC's sanctioned annual quota of 11.5 TMC.

The officials were, however, quick to acknowledge that the civic body lifted more than 18 TMC of water from the four dams annually. "July and Aug are considered months of heavy rain, which is expected to further boost the storage in the four dams. The June-end storage is a good sign, assuring that the city will not face water cuts anytime soon," an official said.

According to the officials, the four dams added 10 TMC of stock in a month, of which about 2.3 TMC has been released from the Khadakwasla dam into the Mutha river following intense rain spells in the catchments. On Monday, stock in Varasgaon and Khadakwasla exceeded 50% of their individual capacities, while storages in Panshet and Temghar were at 47% and 36%, respectively.

Another official from the Pune irrigation circle said the collective stock of 14.5 TMC was 10 TMC more than last year's storage of 4 TMC in the four Khadakwasla circle dams. "Early monsoon onset and subsequent heavy rainfall spells contributed to the significant increase in water levels in almost all dams in the Bhima basin. Over one month, key dams like Temghar, Panshet, Varasgaon, Pavana and Mulshi recorded rainfall ranging between 800mm and 1,000mm. Other key dams like Vadivale, Nira Devghar and Andra also received around 600-800mm. As per IMD, more rain is expected in the catchments over the next few weeks," the official said.

Stock in the Bhama Askhed dam, which supplies water to the city's eastern parts, stood at 41% on Monday, while storage in the Pavana dam (a water source for Pimpri Chinchwad) reached 58%. The officials said although stocks in dams were up significantly, the teams deployed at various reservoirs would continue to monitor water levels as their individual stocks were yet to reach their capacities.

The irrigation department on Monday continued with the release of water from nine of 26 major dams in the Bhima basin, including Ujani and Veer. The discharge from Khadakwasla into the Mutha river was reduced to a rate of 340 cusecs. The discharge from Ujani was maintained at 15,000 cusecs into the Bhima river, while Veer and Ghod dams released water at the rates of 3,700 cusecs and 5,000 cusecs, respectively.

Water stock in dams

Collective stock: 14.5 TMC (50%), last year: 4 TMC (13.5%)

Khadakwasla: 61%

Panshet: 47%

Varasgaon: 55%

Temghar: 36%

Bhama Askhed: 41%

Pavana: 58%

Rain gauge

800mm to 1,000mm: Mulshi, Temghar, Panshet, Varasgaon, Pavana, Gunjawani, Vadivale

(Since June 1)

Pune: The collective stock in four Khadakwasla circle dams reached halfway-mark of 14.5 TMC against their total capacity of 29.15 TMC on Monday, marking their highest June-end storage in over a decade. Irrigation department officials said the surplus offered a huge relief, especially since the storage exceeded PMC's sanctioned annual quota of 11.5 TMC.

The officials were, however, quick to acknowledge that the civic body lifted more than 18 TMC of water from the four dams annually. "July and Aug are considered months of heavy rain, which is expected to further boost the storage in the four dams. The June-end storage is a good sign, assuring that the city will not face water cuts anytime soon," an official said.

According to the officials, the four dams added 10 TMC of stock in a month, of which about 2.3 TMC has been released from the Khadakwasla dam into the Mutha river following intense rain spells in the catchments. On Monday, stock in Varasgaon and Khadakwasla exceeded 50% of their individual capacities, while storages in Panshet and Temghar were at 47% and 36%, respectively.

Another official from the Pune irrigation circle said the collective stock of 14.5 TMC was 10 TMC more than last year's storage of 4 TMC in the four Khadakwasla circle dams. "Early monsoon onset and subsequent heavy rainfall spells contributed to the significant increase in water levels in almost all dams in the Bhima basin. Over one month, key dams like Temghar, Panshet, Varasgaon, Pavana and Mulshi recorded rainfall ranging between 800mm and 1,000mm. Other key dams like Vadivale, Nira Devghar and Andra also received around 600-800mm. As per IMD, more rain is expected in the catchments over the next few weeks," the official said.

Stock in the Bhama Askhed dam, which supplies water to the city's eastern parts, stood at 41% on Monday, while storage in the Pavana dam (a water source for Pimpri Chinchwad) reached 58%. The officials said although stocks in dams were up significantly, the teams deployed at various reservoirs would continue to monitor water levels as their individual stocks were yet to reach their capacities.

The irrigation department on Monday continued with the release of water from nine of 26 major dams in the Bhima basin, including Ujani and Veer. The discharge from Khadakwasla into the Mutha river was reduced to a rate of 340 cusecs. The discharge from Ujani was maintained at 15,000 cusecs into the Bhima river, while Veer and Ghod dams released water at the rates of 3,700 cusecs and 5,000 cusecs, respectively.

Water stock in dams

Collective stock: 14.5 TMC (50%), last year: 4 TMC (13.5%)

Khadakwasla: 61%

Panshet: 47%

Varasgaon: 55%

Temghar: 36%

Bhama Askhed: 41%

Pavana: 58%

Rain gauge

800mm to 1,000mm: Mulshi, Temghar, Panshet, Varasgaon, Pavana, Gunjawani, Vadivale

(Since June 1)