Pune on High Alert as Khadakwasla Dam Releases Surge Amid Heavy Rains

Torrential rainfall across Pune and its surrounding ghat areas has triggered significant water discharge from Khadakwasla Dam into the Mutha River, prompting authorities to issue flood alerts for low-lying localities. The relentless downpour since Tuesday morning has filled the dam to near capacity, raising concerns about potential flooding in areas like Sinhagad Road, Deccan Gymkhana, and Yerawada.

The irrigation department reported that Khadakwasla Dam, a critical water source for Pune with a capacity of 1.97 TMC, began releasing water at 2,178 cusecs at 8 am, escalating to 4,170 cusecs by 9 am, 7,561 cusecs by 11 am, and 15,442 cusecs by 2 pm. By 4 pm, the discharge reached 24,827 cusecs, with plans to increase it to 25,626 cusecs from 5 pm due to continuous inflow from heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Khadakwasla, Panshet, Warasgaon, and Temghar dams. An official warned, “The discharge may rise further if rainfall persists, and residents along the Mutha River must stay vigilant.”

Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for ghat sections and an orange alert for Pune city, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall. “If rains continue and more water is released, a flood-like situation may arise in low-lying areas,” Dudi cautioned, adding that civic bodies, irrigation departments, and disaster management teams are coordinating closely to monitor the crisis.

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The heavy rainfall, measuring over 100 mm in some catchment areas, has also impacted other dams. Panshet Dam increased its discharge to 6,508 cusecs, while Varasgaon released 3,909.70 cusecs, including 600 cusecs via its power generation unit. Mulshi Dam, at 95% capacity, began discharging 5,000 cusecs into the Mula River, and Pawana Dam, nearing 100%, released 4,300 cusecs. These releases have heightened flood risks, with bridges like Shivane and Baba Bhide potentially facing submersion, prompting traffic restrictions and advisories to avoid riverbeds.

NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule urged caution, warning that Khadakwasla could reach full capacity soon, risking further flooding. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has deployed teams to vulnerable areas, advising residents to relocate livestock and belongings. No major evacuations have been reported yet, but temporary shelters are ready at local schools.

This isn’t the first time Pune has faced such threats. In 2019, similar heavy discharges from Khadakwasla led to flooding, with 12,000 people relocated and seven bridges closed. The current situation, compounded by forecasts of continued rain, underscores the need for robust flood management as Pune braces for potential inundation.

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