Pune: Collective storage in the four dams in the Khadakwasla circle rose marginally, a first this monsoon, following sustained rainfall in the catchment areas over the past two days.Agriculture department officials said the collective storage rose almost 0.2 TMC — from 3.63 TMC on Tuesday to 3.81 TMC by Thursday evening. “This shows inflows into the reservoirs have finally begun and storage levels are expected to improve further if rainfall continues over the next few days,” an official said.Temghar received around 35mm of rainfall on Thursday, while Panshet and Varasgaon recorded about 10mm each. The officials said teams were closely monitoring water levels in reservoirs supplying Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.“Rainfall has intensified across several catchment areas in the past two days. Mulshi recorded more than 100mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending Thursday morning, while Pavana received 45mm. Bhama Askhed and Gunjawani recorded 18mm and 35mm rainfall, respectively,” the official said.The rainfall activity is likely to persist through the weekend, raising hopes of further improvement in reservoir levels.The low water storage in dams remains a major concern. Existing reserves have been conserved primarily to ensure drinking water supply, especially amid fears of below-normal rainfall linked to the El Niño. “Rainfall at dam sites is significantly lower than what was recorded last year. We have advised Pune Municipal Corporation to use water judiciously. The current storage can meet the city’s needs for not more than two months. The situation remains critical,” a senior irrigation department official said.The department said there was no plan to resume water release from the Khadakwasla dam into the Mutha canal till reservoir levels reached a more comfortable position. According to irrigation department data, 15 of the 25 major dams in the Bhima basin hold less than 25% of their storage capacity. Water levels in five dams have fallen below zero live storage.
