Soon,flood warning system for Bhima & Krishna river basins

From October 1,the irrigation department already started work on the project. Pune irrigation circle official Avinash Surve said such an initiative would help give real-time data. “Data assimilation will help us in issuing better forecasts,’’ said Surve. In Pune,there would be around 20 rainfall stations around Khadakwasla,Temghar,Varasgaon and Panshet dams,15 reservoir measuring stations,7 automatic weather stations and about 6 river discharge stations.

Bhima river basin affects Pune,Solapur and Ahmednagar districts and Krishna river basin covers Satara,Sangli and Kolhapur districts. According to water resources department executive engineer D A Bagade,data for both the river basins will be despatched from the Mangalwar Peth office. “We have received Rs 25 crore from the World Bank and started the investigation process on October 1,’’ he said. The data assimilation system would consist of rainfall recording stations,full climate stations,automatic weather stations,reservoir measurement stations and river discharge stations.

Mechatronics Systems Private Limited has bagged the contract for supply,installation,testing,commissioning and five-year maintenance of a real-time data acquisition system consisting of 149 automated rainfall stations,42 full climate stations,34 river water level stations,46 reservoir water level stations,8 gate opening measurements.

DHI (India) Water and Environment Private Limited,New Delhi,has been asked to review and assess the forecasting capabilities and telemetry for the two basins. “They would be instrumental in developing geographic information system maps,develop and install hydrological and hydraulic models and software tools and train department staff,’’ said Bagade.