Water storage in Khadakwasla dam chain reduced by five TMC; What is the status of Pawana-Mulshi?
Pune Odisha Tazanews) Pune :- AThere is worrying news for Pune residents. The water storage in the Khadakwasla dam chain, which supplies water to the city, has decreased by a whopping 5.03 TMC compared to last year. Currently, the total usable water storage in all four dams is 23.37 TMC, or 80.19 percent. Last year, on the same day, this storage was 28.40 TMC (97.41 percent). Therefore, the water storage situation has deteriorated relatively this year, and Pune residents are focusing on how to plan water supply in the coming years.
According to the report at 6 am on November 3, 2026, the total usable water storage capacity of all four dams – Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar – is 29.15 TMC. Out of which, 23.37 TMC of water is currently available. The decrease in water storage is clearly visible as the rainfall in the dam area this year has also been less than last year.
Khadakwasla Dam has the lowest storage
Out of the four dams, Khadakwasla Dam has only 1.13 TMC (57.47 percent) of water storage. Varasgaon Dam has 10.92 TMC (85.19 percent), Panshet has 8.20 TMC (76.99 percent), and Temghar Dam has 3.12 TMC (84.20 percent) of water remaining.
What is the status of Pawana-Mulshi?
Pawana Dam, which is important for Pimpri-Chinchwad city, has 7.67 TMC or 90.22 percent of water storage available. While Mulshi Dam has 14.68 TMC (72.83 percent) of water storage remaining. Water is not being released from both these dams at present.
Rain also added to the pressure
This year, 790 millimeters of rain has been recorded in Khadakwasla area. There has been a decrease of 491 millimeters in rainfall compared to last year. The rainfall in Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar areas has also been low. This has affected the water storage in the dams.
Water release from dams continues
While water storage has decreased on one hand, 600 cusecs each from Varasgaon and Panshet dams and 260 cusecs from Temghar dam are being released. 618 cusecs of water is being taken from Khadakwasla dam for Pune Municipal Corporation and 1,103.50 cusecs for Naveen Mutha right canal.
In the backdrop of water storage decreasing by about five TMC compared to last year, reduced rainfall this year and ongoing release, the question is whether there will be a water shortage crisis in the coming summer. However, it cannot be concluded that there will be an immediate water shortage based on the current water storage. The future of Pune’s water supply will depend on the future planning of the municipal corporation and the water resources department.
