The torrential rainfall that has fallen on Pune’s dam catchment areas has resulted in a notable increase in the stock in all four of the city’s water supply during the past 48 hours. So much so that on Wednesday, when the former’s stock hit 95%, the irrigation department discharged water into the Mutha River for the first time this monsoon from the Khadakwasla Dam.
#Pune #FloodAlert: #KhadakwaslaDam Discharge Increased To 35,574 Cusecs
Pune, 25th July 2024: The Khadakwasla Dam authorities have announced an increase in water discharge from the dam’s spillway into the Mutha River basin. Starting at 6:00 AM today, the discharge rate was… pic.twitter.com/Wq648JhAbb
— Punekar News (@punekarnews) July 25, 2024
 Increased Water Levels in Pune’s Dams
The Mutha River swelled as a result of the dam authorities’ 7.30 am water release at a rate of 10,000 cusecs. The PMC’s emergency management department has issued an alert for water release to residents of Pune’s low-lying regions. After the decrease in intake, the discharge was reduced to 7,276 cases by 5 p.m. After a period of intense rainfall, the Khadakwasla dam’s release capacity rose to 11,556 cusecs at 11:30 p.m.
Khadakwasla Dam Water Release and Mutha River Swelling
Since Tuesday, the dam’s inflow has increased due to persistently high rainfall in the ghat and its catchment areas. The water level in Khadakwasla was 88.52% at 5 p.m. on July 23 and increased to 95% by midnight on the same day. According to data from the irrigation department, heavy rainfall, and increased dam inflow caused the water release to begin at approximately 3.30 am on July 24. Water was delivered in increments of 2,000 cusecs at first, increasing to 4,708 cusecs at 630 p.m. However, 9,416 cusecs of water were dumped into the Mutha River a half-hour later.
Precautionary Measures and Public Response
Curious bystanders gathered along the backwaters to see the activities since it was the first time this monsoon season that all dam gates were opened and water was spilled into the river on such a large scale. Simultaneously, the local government and police appeared to be handling the situation to prevent any accidents.
READ: MUMBAI FACES RAINS: WEATHER SYSTEMS COMBINE FOR DOWNPOUR
Additionally, the irrigation department cautioned the public in a statement. On Wednesday, July 24, the collective water level at the Khadakwasla dam cluster was measured at 63.56% with 18.53 TMC. The water level was measured at 41.47% and 48.60% in Bhama Askhed and Pawana, respectively. According to Shweta Kurde, executive engineer of the Khadakwasla dam cluster, the department continuously monitors rainfall activity and the water level in dams, and decisions are made periodically by established procedures.