The state irrigation department is expected to halt the ongoing water release from the Khadakwasla dam into the Mutha canal by this weekend, as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) prepares to implement water cuts across the city from next week. This decision comes amid concerns over El Nino's potential impact on monsoon rainfall and declining water reserves.
Water Conservation Plans
Irrigation department officials have revealed plans to conserve approximately 4.25 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water in the four dams of the Khadakwasla circle. This measure aims to ensure an adequate drinking water supply for Pune city, its suburbs, and nearby rural areas.
“The state government has directed the department to maintain sufficient storage to meet drinking water needs until the end of August. Water levels in the dams are being closely monitored. Currently, most dams in Pune district, including the four that supply water to the city, have less than 25% of their live storage capacity remaining,” an official stated.
Gradual Reduction of Irrigation Releases
Another official explained that water releases for irrigation purposes have been gradually reduced, and the ongoing discharge into the Mutha canal represents one of the final stages of this process. “The canal has been supplying water to rural regions for the past month. While most areas have received water, some tail-end pockets are expected to be covered by the weekend,” the official added.
Once this cycle is completed, a detailed assessment of water availability in rural areas will be conducted before the canal supply is shut off in a phased manner. The PMC is bracing for water cuts to manage the limited resources effectively.
