Pune Division Tops Water Storage in Maharashtra; Yet Fadnavis Calls For Conservation Amid El Niño Concerns
Pune Division Tops Water Storage in Maharashtra; Yet Fadnavis Calls For Conservation Amid El Niño Concerns
Mumbai, April 23, 2026:
Maharashtra currently has a total water storage of 653.63 TMC across its reservoirs, which is 101.77 TMC higher than the same period last year, according to information presented during the state cabinet meeting.
Despite the improved water levels compared to last year’s 551.86 TMC, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has cautioned against complacency, urging citizens and authorities to use water judiciously in view of the potential impact of El Niño, which could lead to irregular rainfall in the coming months.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department, Deepak Kapoor, presented detailed data on reservoir storage and the possible effects of El Niño. Historical trends indicate that during previous El Niño years, water storage dropped significantly—by 12 percent in 2014 and nearly 14 percent in 2015—resulting in widespread water shortages.
The data shows that while reservoir levels stood at 1,330.97 TMC on October 15, 2025, they have reduced to 653.63 TMC as of April 21, 2026. However, the current storage remains substantially higher than last year for the same period.
The Chief Minister has directed officials to ensure strict planning and implementation of water conservation measures so that drinking water remains available until the end of August 2026. He also appealed to citizens to start conserving water immediately to mitigate any potential shortages next year due to reduced rainfall.
Region-wise, Pune division holds the highest water stock at 206.55 TMC, followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar at 129.37 TMC and Nashik at 101.96 TMC. Other divisions include Nagpur (80.79 TMC), Amravati (73.72 TMC), and Konkan (61.24 TMC).
Among major dams, Jayakwadi, Koyna, Ujani, and the Khadakwasla dam group are among those with notable storage levels this year.
The state government emphasized the need for careful water management and proactive measures to avoid a potential crisis if rainfall remains below normal due to El Niño conditions.
