Pune, 7th July 2026: Continuous heavy rainfall over the past four days in Pune and the Western Ghats has significantly improved water storage in the Khadakwasla dam system, which supplies drinking water to the city.

While the recent showers have brought much-needed relief after weeks of concern over low reservoir levels, the total water stock remains considerably lower than it was at the same time last year.

Meanwhile, authorities have issued a public advisory asking people to stay away from riverbeds as dam water discharge could begin if rainfall continues.

The combined storage across the four reservoirs in the Khadakwasla dam chain has reached 10.68 TMC, accounting for 36.63% of the system's total capacity. Of this, Khadakwasla Dam holds 1.24 TMC, Panshet Dam has 4.20 TMC, Varasgaon Dam contains 4.62 TMC, and Temghar Dam has 0.62 TMC of water.

Despite the increase, reservoir levels remain well below last year's figures. On the same date in 2025, the four dams together stored 19.08 TMC, or 65.46% of their total capacity. This means the current storage is still nearly 8 TMC lower, indicating that the water situation, though improving, has not yet fully recovered.

Officials said heavy rainfall in the Khadakwasla catchment has led to a steady inflow into the reservoirs. By 4 am on July 7, Khadakwasla Dam had reached 62% of its storage capacity. If the current intensity of rainfall and inflows continues over the next few hours, the reservoir could fill to 80% or more, increasing the possibility of water being released through the spillway.

The Irrigation Department has appealed to residents not to enter riverbeds and to immediately move livestock, vehicles, and other belongings from riverbanks and low-lying areas.

Local authorities have also been instructed to alert residents living near rivers and ensure necessary precautions are taken if water is released from the dams. Officials urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with the administration until the weather situation improves.