Water cuts in Pune from next week due to deficit rainfall

Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar dams supply water to Pune city, which has recently also started drawing water from Bhama Askhed dam. There has been very little rainfall in the catchment area of these dams, leading to a drop in water storage levels. “There is hardly 2.5 TMC water in the dams supplying water to the city. The state water resource department has alerted the PMC to use water judiciously,” said a civic officer.

The PMC usually draws 1,650 MLD water to meet the needs of the city, he said, adding the alternate day water supply will be done in a way that there is only 30 per cent water cut in a day. “The civic administration has to also keep in mind the technical aspect of ensuring there is no problem in the supply network. If not done properly, the system might get damaged,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PMC is facing criticism from the state water resource department for drawing more water than the allocated quota. The PMC has been demanding an increase in water quota, saying villages have been included in the city limits and the population of the city has increased. The PMC is also implementing a 24/7 water supply project in the city and the Union government has set a target of finishing the work by next year.