Pune: Heavy Rains Fill Pavana Dam to Full Capacity, Yet Pimpri Chinchwad Faces Alternate-Day Water Supply

Pimpri Chinchwad, 27th August 2024: Pavana Dam, which quenches the thirst of Pimpri Chinchwad City, is now 100% full due to heavy rains in the catchment areas of Maval Taluka. Although the concern over water storage has been resolved, Pimpri Chinchwad residents are still receiving water only on alternate days. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has clarified that daily water supply will not be restored until the Andra Dam and Bhama Askhed Dam water supply projects are completed. Citizens will have to wait until at least 2026 for a consistent daily water supply.

Pavana Dam is the primary source of water for various villages in the Maval region, including Pimpri-Chinchwad. PCMC draws water from the embankment at Ravet on the Pavana River. The water is treated at the Nigdi Water Treatment Plant before being distributed to Pimpri Chinchwad City. Currently, 610 million litres per day (MLD) of water is supplied to the city—510 MLD from Pavana, 80 MLD from Andra Dam, and 20 MLD from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).

The city has been receiving water on alternate days for five years in the name of the Equal Water Supply Scheme. In June, due to a lack of rainfall, water storage in the dam had dropped to 17%. The dry month of June created a water crisis. However, heavy rains in late July and early August caused the dam’s water level to rise steadily. By the end of July, the dam was 50% full. Continued rainfall led to the release of water from the dam three times.

After a brief pause, heavy rains returned to the catchment area over the last two days, resulting in the dam reaching 100% capacity. The year-long water concerns of the city’s residents have been alleviated. Pavana Dam typically fills to 100% before 15th August each year, and this year, water was released into the river three times. By August 26th, the dam was fully filled, with 2,777 mm of rainfall recorded in the catchment area since June. Last year, 2,882 mm of rainfall was recorded on the same date.

Although the dam is full, the available water is still insufficient for the growing population. Ajay Suryavanshi, Joint City Engineer of the Water Supply Department, confirmed that the alternate-day water supply will continue.