Pune: Following the Khadakwasla Dam reaching full capacity, the discharge into the Mutha River has been increased. As a result, water has flooded the Mutha riverbed road in the Deccan area, leading to the closure of Bhide Bridge and adjacent roads to traffic from Wednesday (24th) afternoon.

Continuous rainfall has been ongoing in the catchment area of the Khadakwasla Dam Cluster. With the dam full, the irrigation department began discharging water into the river at a rate of 9,416 cusecs from 7 AM on Wednesday. The Mutha River is flowing at full capacity.

Due to the increased discharge, water reached the riverbed roads in the Deccan area around noon. Subsequently, the police placed barricades on the road from Narayan Peth to Bhide Bridge leading to Deccan, halting traffic.

This has caused significant traffic congestion in the central parts of the city. Meanwhile, city traffic police have advised motorists to use the routes via Deccan Gymkhana and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Bridge.

Warning to Riverside Villages

Meanwhile, weather experts have predicted medium intensity to heavy rainfall to persist in Pune City areas. An alert has been issued for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the Ghat region, especially Pune and Satara district.

As a result, catchment areas of Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar are expected to received heavy rains and as a result, discharge from Khadakwasla dam into Mutha river is expected to increase.

With the increased discharge into the river, the Khadakwasla irrigation department has issued a warning for vehicles parked near the river to be removed. Residents of riverside villages are also advised to take precautions.