Pune, 8th July 2026: Heavy rainfall across the catchment areas of the Khadakwasla dam system since Tuesday has significantly increased water storage in Pune's major reservoirs. In the last 24 hours alone, the four dams, Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar, received a combined inflow of 3.63 TMC, taking the total live storage in the dam system to 13.97 TMC (47.92%).
However, water storage remains lower than the same period last year, when the dam system held 19.55 TMC (67.08%) of live storage.
Khadakwasla Dam has now reached 100% live storage, holding 1.97 TMC of water. With inflows continuing at a high rate, authorities have increased the discharge into the Mutha River to 27,203 cusecs. So far, 0.26 TMC of water has been released through the dam's spillway.
The Irrigation Department has appealed to residents living along the riverbanks to remain alert and strictly follow instructions issued by the administration, as water discharge may continue depending on inflows.
The remaining three dams in the Khadakwasla system also recorded a sharp rise in storage following continuous rainfall.
Panshet Dam: 5.20 TMC (45.36%)
Varasgaon Dam: 5.81 TMC (45.36%)
Temghar Dam: 0.98 TMC (26.50%)
Strong inflows are continuing into all three reservoirs, further improving the overall water availability for Pune.
The catchment region witnessed intense rainfall over the past 24 hours. Till 6 am on Wednesday, the rainfall recorded was:
Khadakwasla – 101 mm
Panshet – 171 mm
Varasgaon – 189 mm
Temghar – 245 mm
The heavy rainfall was the primary reason behind the rapid rise in reservoir levels and the decision to increase water discharge from Khadakwasla Dam.
The release of water from Khadakwasla Dam was increased in phases through the night as reservoir levels continued to rise. The discharge, which began at 842 cusecs shortly after midnight, was gradually stepped up before reaching the current 27,203 cusecs from 5.30 am onwards.
Officials said the release is being regulated based on inflows into the reservoir and advised citizens to stay away from the Mutha River until further notice.
