Heavy Rain Causes Water Levels to Rise
Pune received the first major spell of monsoon on 23 July when the water levels in the Khadakwasla Dam also stepped up sharply. By 5 pm, the water level was recorded at 88. 52% which increased to 95% by midnight. The catchment areas of Pune’s dams have experienced good rainfall in the last 48 hours and this has improved the water storage in all the four dams that provide water to Pune.
Water Release from Khadakwasla Dam
For the first time this monsoon, the irrigation department started the water discharge from Khadakwasla Dam to Mutha River after the water storage in the dam was filled up to 95% on July 23. The discharge started at 7:30 in the morning with an initial opening of 10,000 cusecs and flooded the Mutha River. undefined At 30 pm, the release capacity went up to 11,556 cusecs. But as the hour progressed, the discharge rate declined to 7,276 cusecs due to a decline in the inflow by 5 pm.
Advisory and Safety Measures
The disaster management cell of the Pune Municipal Corporation alerted the people living in flood-prone areas regarding the water discharge. It was the first large-scale release of the season for which many people gathered to watch the backwaters of the dam. To ensure that there were no incidences, both the police and the local administration played an active role in managing the situation. The irrigation department also cautioned the citizens.
Outcome of Continuous Monitoring and Future Decisions
Therefore, heavy showers in the ghat and catchment areas have continued since July 23 influencing the rising water levels in Khadakwasla Dam. The level of water at the site escalated to a 95% by night and water was let off around 3. 7-30 am, July 24. The discharge began with 2,000 cusecs, and during the day it had risen up to 4,708 cusecs at 6. increased to 7,868 cusecs at 3. 30 pm and 9,416 cusecs half an hour later.
The combined KWC was 63 on July 24 of the Khadakwasla dam cluster. According to it 56% of the peoples in the selected areas are fully literate and the total literacy rate considered is 18. 53 TMC. Consequently, in other dams, namely Bhama Askhed and Pawana, the water levels were noted to be at 41% percent. 47% and 48. 60%, respectively.
In an interview with the executive engineer Shweta Kurde of the Khadakwasla dam cluster said that the department is always observing the rainfall as well as the water levels present in the dams. Deals shall be completed based on operating procedures as well as observations made always in the course of business.
To commence with, one should regularly monitor the water levels and favourable weather conditions on Aditya Singh Tharran’s website.
