Pune, 16 July 2025: In a promising development for Pune and its surrounding areas, the Khadakwasla dam chain has reached a significantly high water storage level just a month and a half into the monsoon season.
By July 15, the combined water storage in Panshet, Varasgaon, Temghar, and Khadakwasla dams stood at 22.07 TMC (thousand million cubic feet), which is 75.73 percent of their total capacity. This is the highest water storage recorded on this date in the past 13 years.
Unlike previous years when the monsoon arrived late and brought limited rainfall, this year’s early and vigorous downpour has contributed to a much higher-than-expected water accumulation in the dams. For instance, in 2018, the storage on the same day was 15.48 TMC (53.10%), and last year it was only 8.44 TMC (28.96%). The current storage marks a considerable improvement and reflects the ample rainfall received across the region.
The year 2014 remains the worst in recent memory in terms of water reserves, when the combined storage had dipped to just 1.29 TMC (4.43%), resulting in a severe crisis. In contrast, the years 2018, 2022, and now 2025 have seen satisfactory levels of water storage, helping avoid water scarcity in both urban and rural areas.
Notably, the year 2025 has already recorded the highest rainfall and water accumulation in the dam chain so far, a trend that experts say is encouraging for long-term water management in the region.
With the present levels, the irrigation department has assured that there will be a smooth supply of drinking and irrigation water to Pune city, its suburbs, and talukas like Haveli, Daund, and Indapur. The India Meteorological Department has also predicted more rain in the coming days, suggesting the possibility of even higher storage in the near future.
The healthy dam levels are expected to benefit both city dwellers and farmers. Authorities have noted that the current stock is not only sufficient for drinking purposes but also favorable for agricultural use across the region, making this monsoon season a much-needed boon after years of inconsistent rainfall.