Venna Lake Overflows as Heavy Rains Lash Mahabaleshwar

Heavy monsoon showers have transformed Mahabaleshwar into a spectacular monsoon destination, with the iconic Venna Lake overflowing after reaching its full storage capacity. The development has brought major relief to residents by eliminating the looming drinking water crisis while drawing large crowds of tourists eager to witness nature at its best.

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After days of relentless rainfall, the lake began overflowing from its spillway on Sunday evening, ensuring a year-long drinking water supply for Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani and nearly 25 surrounding villages.

Just days ago, authorities were worried as the reservoir had only 50 to 52 days’ worth of water remaining. However, the strong start to July’s monsoon quickly reversed the situation, filling the 56 million cubic feet capacity reservoir within a short span.

The overflowing water has also caused the Venna River to swell significantly, inundating parts of the historic Lingmala agricultural belt, where low-lying farmlands have gone underwater.

Adding to the scenic beauty, the famous Lingmala Waterfall is now cascading at full force, surrounded by lush greenery, dense fog and roaring streams. The breathtaking landscape has attracted hundreds of tourists over the weekend, with visitors enjoying the cool weather, mist-covered hills and picturesque viewpoints across Mahabaleshwar.

Although boating at Venna Lake has been temporarily suspended due to safety concerns amid heavy rainfall, tourists continue to gather along the lakefront to witness the overflowing spillway while enjoying the region’s famous roasted corn and monsoon atmosphere.

Heavy rain has continued across Mahabaleshwar for the past five to six days, with strong winds and poor visibility making driving difficult on several roads. Waterlogging, thick fog and continuous showers have also affected traffic movement across the hill station.

According to the local weather department, Mahabaleshwar recorded 1,204 mm (around 47 inches) of rainfall between June 1 and July 5. In just nine hours on Sunday, the hill station received 100 mm (around 4 inches) of rainfall, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing monsoon.

With overflowing lakes, roaring waterfalls, rolling clouds and vibrant greenery, Mahabaleshwar has entered the peak of its monsoon tourism season, offering visitors one of the most picturesque landscapes in the Western Ghats.

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