Khadakwasla Dam Chain Receives 43 TMC Water in a Month

Pune: Continuous rainfall across the Panshet and Mose-Mutha catchment areas has significantly boosted water storage in the Khadakwasla dam chain, with more than 43 TMC of water flowing into the reservoirs within just one month. Authorities have already released 17 TMC of water to regulate the inflow and maintain reservoir safety.

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The Khadakwasla dam chain, which has a total storage capacity of 29.15 TMC, witnessed inflows exceeding one-and-a-half times its capacity during the recent spell of heavy rainfall. As of 5 PM on Thursday, water was being discharged from the Khadakwasla Dam into the Mutha River at 8,777 cusecs.

The reservoirs had witnessed critically low storage after a dry June. On July 4, the combined storage across the dam chain stood at only 4.68 TMC. However, persistent monsoon showers throughout July transformed the situation, resulting in a massive surge in water levels.

According to Branch Engineer Viresh Raut, the Khadakwasla dam chain received more than 43 TMC of inflows over the past month. Out of this, 12.33 TMC of water was released into the Mutha River through the Khadakwasla Dam.

In addition, authorities supplied approximately 2.5 TMC of water through the Mutha Canal and another 1.5 TMC through closed pipelines to meet the drinking water needs of Pune city and surrounding districts.

Earlier this year, the India Meteorological Department had predicted below-normal rainfall due to El Niño, raising concerns over water availability. However, rainfall intensified across the Western Ghats from July onwards, dramatically improving reservoir storage.

Currently, water is being released at 3,796 cusecs from Panshet, 3,577 cusecs from Varasgaon, and 1,160 cusecs from Temghar, contributing to the ongoing discharge into the Mutha River.

During the last 24 hours, Temghar recorded 14 mm rainfall, Panshet 14 mm, Varasgaon 13 mm, and Khadakwasla 4 mm, reflecting continued monsoon activity across the dam catchment area.