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Journalism of Courage
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.
If PMC reduces consumption from 1,300 MLD to 1,250 MLD, then it would save 2.5 TMC water which can meet the city’s requirement for one and a half months. “PMC has been informed, but the civic administration and water resource department need to sit together and discuss the water issue. PMC has already begun reducing its water consumption and will cooperate with the water resource department to manage water,” said municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar.
Currently, water storage in reservoirs is around 24 TMC of which 8.5 TMC is reserved for irrigation, which leaves 15.5 TMC water available for the civic body. However, PMC needs much more than what is available till next monsoon.
“PMC needs 1,650 MLD to ensure water reaches all parts of the city, and less than that will affect supply in some parts of the city,” said a civic officer.
