The swollen Mula-Mutha river
Pune: Significant rainfall in July and Aug this year has led to the discharge of 18 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from Khadakwasla dam into the Mutha river so far. The quantum of water released into the river is almost equivalent to water lifted in total for the city annually, if one considers average monthly usage of 1.5 TMC. The release continued through Aug as storage remained at 100% of capacity in reservoirs, leaving no space to store inflow of additional rainwater. Of the 18 TMC water released so far, about 12 TMC has been discharged in Aug. The rate is now ranging between 3,000 cusec to 5,000 cusec, depending on intensity of rain in catchments. On Friday, release of water from Khadakwasla dam into the river increased to 4,200 cusec from 3,400 cusec. The four dams in Khadakwasla circle (Khadakwasla, Panshet, Temghar, Varasgaon) can store 29.15 TMC of water.
An irrigation department official told TOI , “Water release from Khadakwasla dam started in July after all four dams in the circle reached their full capacities. With the stock in all dams at 100% capacity each, the irrigation department is opting for “controlled release” of water. The official added, “Water discharge has been brought down in the last couple of weeks.
Another irrigation official also chose anonymity and explained, “We are maintaining water storage around 100%. Since the last week, catchments are recording 10-22mm rainfall per day. Of 25 major dams in Bhima basin, water stocks in 20 dams were between 90-100% on Friday.
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Apart from the dams around Pune city, four more dams in the district released water on Friday, including Bhama Askhed, Mulshi, Andra and Ujani.