Pune Alert: Water Release Increased from Three Dams, Stay Away from Mutha River
Pune, 3rd August 2026: With heavy rainfall continuing in the catchment areas and water levels rising rapidly, the Khadakwasla Irrigation Division on Monday increased water discharge from Khadakwasla, Panshet and Varasgaon dams into the Mutha river and appealed to residents to stay away from the riverbed and low-lying areas.
Executive Engineer, Khadakwasla Irrigation Division, said the discharge from Khadakwasla Dam would be increased from 16,247 cusecs to 24,277 cusecs through the spillway at 12 noon due to the sharp rise in the reservoir level caused by continuous heavy rainfall in the catchment area.
The official further said that Panshet Dam, which is currently 100% full, is receiving substantial inflows. To regulate the reservoir level, 600 cusecs is being released through the hydroelectric power house, while the spillway discharge will be increased from 5,642 cusecs to 9,534 cusecs at 12.30 pm.
Similarly, Varasgaon Dam, which has also reached 100% storage capacity, is witnessing continuous inflows. Water release through the hydroelectric power house has been maintained at 600 cusecs, while the spillway discharge will be increased from 2,977 cusecs to 7,192 cusecs at 12 noon, taking the total discharge to 7,792 cusecs, the Executive Engineer said.
The Irrigation Department said the discharge from all three dams may be increased or reduced depending on rainfall intensity and inflows into the reservoirs.
The department has urged residents living along the Mutha river not to enter the riverbed under any circumstances. Citizens have also been advised to immediately shift water pumps, agricultural equipment, livestock and any other materials kept in or near the riverbed to safer locations. Authorities have appealed to local administrations to alert residents in low-lying areas and take necessary precautionary measures.
According to the Khadakwasla Irrigation Division’s 6 am reservoir status report, the Khadakwasla Dam holds 1.97 TMC of water and is 100% full, while Panshet Dam has 10.65 TMC (100%), Varasgaon Dam has 12.82 TMC (100%), and Temghar Dam has 3.54 TMC (95.5%).
The combined storage in the four dams stood at 28.98 TMC, or 99.43% of total capacity, compared to 25.76 TMC (88.38%) during the corresponding period last year.
