Khadakwasla Dam Chain Reports Sufficient Water Storage For Pune’s Needs
Khadakwasla Dam Chain Reports Sufficient Water Storage For Pune’s Needs
Pune: The Khadakwasla dam chain, which supplies water to Pune, has reached full capacity this year due to higher-than-average rainfall compared to last year. Despite this, water extraction has been in full swing, with 10 TMC (thousand million cubic meters) of water already utilized since the monsoon ended. Currently, the four dams—Khadakwasla, Panshet, Temghar, and Varasgaon—hold a combined storage of 19.05 TMC. Authorities now face the challenge of managing the city’s water supply for the next five months while ensuring adequate reserves for agriculture.
According to the Water Resources Department, as of February 7, the dam chain’s water storage stands at 19.05 TMC, which is 1.84 TMC more than last year’s level of 17.21 TMC on the same date. The current water distribution is as follows:
- Khadakwasla Dam: 0.95 TMC (48.31%)
- Panshet Dam: 7.51 TMC (70.50%)
- Varasgaon Dam: 10.09 TMC (78.68%)
- Temghar Dam: 0.50 TMC (13.40%)
With rising temperatures recorded in December and January, water consumption has increased, and uncertainty remains about timely monsoon arrival in June. Additionally, these dams supply water not only to Pune but also to rural areas for agricultural use. Therefore, authorities must carefully plan the city’s water usage to ensure an uninterrupted supply for both urban and rural needs.
Moreover, with the upcoming municipal elections, water management is likely to become a key topic of discussion, as any shortage could impact both daily life and political discourse.
