Heavy showers in Pune push up reservoir levels

Heavy rains in and around Pune over the last few days, especially over the weekend, have raised the water level in the four dams that provide water to the city.
The collective water level in these four dams -- Temghar, Varasgaon, Panshet and Khadakwasla -- has gone up to 10.05 TMC on July 11 against 7.19 TMC, recorded in the corresponding period last year, an Irrigation Department official said.
"Moderate to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of all four dam over the last few days and the weekend has increased the water level in the reservoirs," the official said.

"The current water stock in all four dams till Monday morning is 34.48 per cent. On the same day last year, it was 24.66 per cent," he added.
Meanwhile, Pune has gauged 44.09 mm of rains since yesterday and the total rainfall received so far this season in the district is 4516.4 mm. The 25 reservoirs in the district, have also been receiving good rainfall.
IMD has predicted intermittent rains in and around the city over the next six days.

Pune Mayor Prashant Jagtap said that although the water level in all the four dams is satisfactory, the decision to lift the water cuts will be taken next month.

"If the spell of rains continues, I expect that all four dams will fill to their capacity by the end of this month and citizens, who are getting water on alternate day, will not have to face further water cuts," he said.
"Although there is a satisfactory stock in the dams, we will take the decision on water cuts in next month," he said.
In May, the district administration and political parties barring BJP, had locked horns after the former took the decision to release water from Khadakwasla reservoir to neighbouring Indapur and Daund talukas, which were reeling under acute water crisis.

The MNS workers had ransacked Sinchan Bhavan, an office of the state water resources department to oppose the move.