Pune: Water discharge from Khadakwasla dam has been increased to 16478 cusecs from 7 pm on Thursday evening. As a result, Mutha riverbed road and Baba Bhide bridge in the Deccan area have been closed for vehicular traffic. The riverbed road and Bhide bridge will be submerged underwater and hence citizens have been urged to avoid going to the areas.

Water discharge from Khadakwasla dam was increased up to 7276 cusecs on Thursday afternoon 1 pm. Pune traffic police had started barricading Baba Bhide Bridge - the low-water crossing in the city connecting Peth areas to Deccan and Shivajinagar areas - as water flowing through the Mutha river had almost touched the bridge.

Now with the discharge quantity more than double within a few hours, the bridge will be submerged underwater along with the riverbed. The road along the river bed going to and from Bhide Bridge to Erandwane and Bhide Bridge to Shaniwarwada has been closed for traffic as a precautionary measure.

Presently, the Khadakwasla dam is completely filled. On Thursday morning the water being discharged was at 5136 cusecs into the Mutha River which flows across Pune city. With continuous rainfall in Pune district, the inflow of rainwater has increased in all four dams Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar which has been forced to release water by 16478 cusecs by Thursday evening. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heavy rainfall in the next five to seven days.

PMC and disaster management authorities have appealed to citizens to stay away from the river bed road and Baba Bhide bridge area. Authorities have also asked citizens to remove their vehicles especially cars parked on the river bed road as they may get damaged. Mayor Murlidhar Mohol has appealed to citizens to stay safe and stay away from the flooded riverbed road and Bhide Bridge.

Water discharge from Khadakwasla dam on Thursday

9am - 5136 cusecs
1pm- 7276 cusecs
7pm - 16478 cusecs