Pune, Maharashtra – Residents of Pune are grappling with an escalating water crisis this summer as the storage levels in the four major dams supplying the city have fallen to critical lows. The Khadakwasla dam chain, comprising Khadakwasla, Panshet, Temghar, and Varasgaon dams, collectively holds only about 25 percent of its total capacity, raising serious concerns about water availability in the coming weeks.
Temghar Dam Completely Dry, Adding to Woes
Adding to the severity of the situation, Temghar Dam, one of the key reservoirs in the chain, has reportedly completely dried up. This exacerbates the pressure on Pune’s already strained water supply system, with other dams in the chain also experiencing significant drops in water levels. Khadakwasla Dam currently has 58 percent storage, Panshet is at 31 percent, and Varasgaon holds 23 percent of its capacity. This alarming decline has prompted authorities to consider drastic measures to manage the limited water resources.
The Pune division has recorded the lowest dam water storage in Maharashtra, standing at a mere 25.26 percent. This figure is significantly lower than the state’s overall average water stock of 33.95 percent across more than 3,000 dams. While this represents a slight improvement from last year’s 22.29 percent storage for the Pune division, the current levels are insufficient to meet the city’s demands through the peak summer months and potentially into the monsoon if rainfall is deficient.
El Niño Fears Heighten Water Scarcity Concerns
Compounding the problem, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted below-normal rainfall for the upcoming monsoon season, partly due to the El Niño effect and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). This forecast has intensified fears of prolonged water management challenges, even during the monsoon period. The state government’s Water Resources Department has already appealed to citizens and farmers to use water judiciously and avoid wastage.
Officials attribute the rapid depletion of water reserves to several factors, including intense summer heat leading to heavy evaporation losses from dams since March. Simultaneously, the demand for water for irrigation and domestic consumption has surged, placing immense pressure on the available stock. The extensive urbanisation and expansion of the city, coupled with a rising population, further strain the water supply infrastructure.
Water Management and Potential Restrictions
In response to the grim situation, the Irrigation Department has advised the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to prepare for potential water cuts. The civic administration has presented three options to Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram: avoiding water cuts altogether, implementing a weekly one-day water shutdown, or resorting to an alternate-day water supply. Currently, Pune consumes approximately 1,622.5 million litres per day (MLD). A 15 percent reduction would mean cutting about 253.87 MLD from the current supply.
Officials have cautioned that implementing uniform water cuts could disproportionately affect elevated areas and peripheries due to the city’s uneven topography and ongoing infrastructure development. Supplying water on alternate days, while potentially leading to a higher reduction of up to 25 percent, might also cause disruption and confusion among residents, as restoring normal supply after a shutdown can take several days. The option of a weekly shutdown, though estimated to save about 10 percent, also presents similar restoration challenges.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is also bracing for the summer, with Mayor Ravi Landge directing officials to implement immediate measures for an uninterrupted water supply. For the past seven years, PCMC residents have experienced an alternate-day water supply, a situation that may persist or worsen if proactive steps are not taken. The PCMC administration is tasked with preparing a detailed summer action plan, assessing dam reserves, treatment capacity, and the distribution network, alongside identifying and repairing pipeline leakages and curbing water theft.
Long-Term Solutions and Public Awareness
Experts emphasize the need for long-term solutions, including stringent water management, balanced distribution for drinking and irrigation, and proactive planning to mitigate future shortages. Public awareness campaigns on water conservation and the prevention of wastage are also considered crucial in tackling the recurring water crisis that Pune faces annually.
The Chenab Times News Desk