Pune: Alternate-Day Water Supply Likely in PMC Areas From Monday Amid Declining Dam Levels
Pune, 8th June 2026: With water storage in the Khadakwasla dam project declining rapidly and uncertainty over monsoon rainfall looming, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to introduce water rationing in the city, with alternate-day water supply likely to begin from June 15.
The decision was taken at an all-party meeting chaired by Mayor Manjusha Nagpure on Monday. Senior civic officials and leaders from various political parties attended the meeting to discuss measures for managing the city’s water resources over the next three months.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Mayor Nagpure said discussions focused on water conservation measures and regulating consumption in view of the shrinking reservoir levels.
“We are considering supplying water on alternate days from next week. Water-intensive establishments such as vehicle washing centres and swimming pools are likely to face complete restrictions,” she said.
The mayor added that a formal circular detailing the water-cut schedule would be issued before implementation, giving residents sufficient time to plan storage and manage their requirements.
Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said the civic administration would finalise the plan within the next two days. “Although the weather department has forecast 90 per cent of average rainfall, there remains uncertainty over actual precipitation. We must plan for the next three months based on the available water stock,” he said.
Ram said the PMC would issue detailed guidelines shortly and intensify efforts to curb water wastage by plugging leakages in the distribution network. He added that establishments with high water consumption could face temporary closure or restrictions as part of the conservation measures.
The civic administration is expected to announce the final schedule and operational details of the water rationing plan later this week.
Officials said only around 5 TMC of water remains in the Khadakwasla dam project, which comprises the Khadakwasla, Panshet, Temghar and Varasgaon reservoirs and serves as Pune’s primary source of drinking water. The available water stock has to meet the city’s needs until the reservoirs receive substantial inflows from the monsoon.
Apart from drinking water requirements, water also has to be reserved for irrigation and releases linked to the annual Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage. Evaporation losses are further adding to the pressure on available reserves.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall at around 90 per cent of the long-period average this monsoon due to the impact of El Niño conditions. Civic officials expressed concern that below-normal rainfall could aggravate water scarcity in several parts of the state.
The irrigation department had advised the PMC to implement water cuts as early as April. However, the civic body had then decided against imposing restrictions until May 31.
