Pune: Khadakwasla Dam Nears Full Capacity; Controlled Water Release to Begin from Midnight
Pune, 7th July 2026: The Khadakwasla Dam has reached 1.84 TMC, or 94% of its total storage capacity, and requires only 130 Mcft more water to become completely full, according to Pravin Kolhe, Superintending Engineer, Pune Irrigation Circle.
Kolhe said that rainfall is continuing across the dam’s catchment area and that the reservoir is currently receiving an estimated 30 Mcft of inflow per hour following around 10 mm of rainfall. If the present rainfall pattern continues, the dam is likely to reach 100% capacity within the next four hours, approximately by 2:30 am on Wednesday.
“To avoid the need for a sudden large discharge after the reservoir reaches full capacity and to maintain a regulated and safe flow in the downstream river, we have proposed releasing 800 cusecs of water from the Khadakwasla Dam into the Mutha River from 12:00 midnight as a precautionary measure,” Kolhe said.
He added that the irrigation department will continuously monitor the reservoir’s inflow, rainfall in the catchment area and weather conditions before deciding on any further increase in the discharge.
“Based on the prevailing situation, the release may have to be increased in phases. If required, the discharge could be raised to 5,000 to 8,000 cusecs between 2:00 am and 3:00 am,” Kolhe said.
He urged all concerned government agencies to take note of the planned release and implement necessary precautionary measures.
Residents living along the Mutha River have also been advised to remain alert and avoid entering the riverbed as water levels are expected to rise during the night.
