MUMBAI, OCT 17: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) today sounded alert in view of the possibility of floods in the Mula and Mutha rivers.Civic officials said water level of the Mutha and the Mula-Mutha is expected to increase considerably since all the three reservoirs - Khadakwasla, Panshet and Varasgao - have been filled to full capacity following incessant rain in the catchment area over the past three days. The PMC has cautioned citizens, particularly slum dwellers living along Ambil Odha and Nagzari. According to the Irrigation department, 4,965 cusecs water was being discharged from the Khadakwasla dam in the evening. In the morning, the irrigation officials had to discharge 10,000 cusecs because of heavy rain.They said discharge was brought down as rain stopped after 3 pm. The officials said 1,718 cusecs and 1,490 cusecs water was being discharged from Panshet and Varasgao dams respectively in the evening.The PMC sounds alert when 35,000 cusecs water is discharged from Khadakwasla. It,however, has sounded an alert this time taking into account the possibility of heavy rain in the next three days because of high velocity winds in the Arabian sea. The catchment areas of all the three dams are receiving heavy rain for the past few days.The PMC has appealed to the people, particularly slum dwellers living along the river bank, not to enter waters. People have been advised to keep safe distance from electricity poles and wires. They should contact fire brigade (101) or flood control cell (322797 and 322521) in case of an emergency. The PMC has identified 38 sensitive pockets along the left and right banks of the Mutha river. These will gradually start submerging if the discharge from Khadakwasla exceeds 35,000 cusecs.The PMC has identified the few spots which will be affected if the discharge exceeds 20,000 cusecs. The irrigation authorities say a discharge of 20,000 cusecs would be enough to inundate the slums along the river banks, as several slums have come up near the river bank. Thecorporation has made arrangements to shift the affected people in case the discharge exceeds 35,000 cusecs. It has identified 40 relief centres, where the affected people can be sheltered.
