Pune stares at water cut to ensure supply till next monsoon

With lesser storage, as compared with last year, in dams providing water to the city, Pune will possibly face water cuts in the near future, to ensure that stored water lasts till the start of next monsoon. The matter has been conveyed by the state water resource department to the civic administration.

Pune city meets its water needs from a chain of dams–Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar—which are upstream of Mutha river. Some water is also drawn from Bhama Askhed dam. The civic body currently draws 1,650 MLD water, with 1,510 MLD from Khadakwasla dam and 140 MLD from Bhama Askhed dam.

In a communication to PMC, the state water resource department has flagged the inadequate quantity of water in reservoirs, which is lesser as compared with last year during the same period. “There is likely to be severe water scarcity during summer. Thus, PMC should reduce consumption to prevent water scarcity,” it said. Water shortage this year has been attributed to a poor monsoon.