Stock in 4 dams drops to 26%, water release for crops to end by last week of May

TOI Congratulations Times Prime Member We've activated for you.Now enjoy your access to premium articles and insights with ad-free experience. The only membership you'll ever need Pune: The state irrigation department on Saturday announced a two-month water plan, halting within 15 days and reserving 5 TMC for the city until the monsoon, with the collective stock in four dams in the Khadakwasla circle dropping to 7.

6 TMC (26% capacity). Department officials said they didn't anticipate major issues in supplying water to the city till the arrival of the monsoon, but were closely monitoring dam water levels. "As of now, the four dams in the Khadakwasla circle hold 7.



6 TMC of water. About 1.7 TMC of water is expected to flow to rural areas for crops in the next 15 days.

This will reduce the collective storage to 5.5 TMC, which will be utilised for drinking requirements in Pune city and towns located in the rural parts of the district," a senior official said. The city uses around 1.

6 TMC of water from the every month, which takes the consumption to 3.2 TMC for two months. The official said the current dam stock was expected to suffice until the monsoon replenished the storages.

"The dams' collective stock is 0.6 TMC higher than last year's 6.98 TMC (24% capacity)," the official said.

The irrigation department has stated that to ensure the judicious use of water until the arrival of rain, it has implemented strict monitoring in the rural areas to restrict illegal use and wastage. It has also urged Pune Municipal Corporation to avoid any wastage. "PMC will have to play a key role in ensuring that adequate stock stays in the dams till monsoon onset.

The civic administration should stick to its quota and refrain from lifting additional water over the next two months," an official from the irrigation department said. PMC officials said they already took steps in this regard..