Monsoon Delayed in Pune: How long will PMC, PCMC and Hinjawadi’s Water Stocks Last?
As monsoon is delayed this year, Pune struggles with its water storage. The normal date of onset in Pune is around 8th June however, today by 11th June also, there is no sign of monsoon in and around the district.
Due to robust monsoon last year, the water stock in the dams was 100% and that has been the saving grace till now. However, with the delay in arrival of rains, the water situation now gets critical by the day.
The total water stock across all 724 big, medium and small dams in the division is 2334.48 mcum which is roughly 15.3% of the designed live storage in Pune Division. The same figure last year, today was 26.78%, almost double the availability this year. This can also be attributed to the early onset of monsoon last year, which by this day had already started replenishing the water storage.
Water Stock Situation of Pune Urban
If we look at the dam clusters that supply water to Pune city and its surrounding areas, the situation is as follows:
Khadakwasla Dam Cluster – Supplies water to areas under the jurisdiction of Pune Municipal Corporation
- Khadakwasla Dam: 39.3% water stock as against 44.69% storage last year this day
- Panshet Dam: 20.22% water stock as against 14.18% storage last year this day
- Warasgaon Dam: 13.53% water stock as against 21.87% storage last year this day
- Temghar Dam: 0% water stock as against 2.31% storage last year this day
Pawana Dam – Supplies Water to areas under Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation
- Pawana Dam: 19.73% water stock as against 25.33% storage last year this day
Mulshi Dam – Upstream dam of Mula river, controlled by Tata Group, supplies water to some areas of Hinjawadi IT park and other communities on its banks.
- Mulshi Dam: 17.04 % water stock as against 19.93 % storage last year this day
If we look at the total live storage of these dams as on today – it comes to 275.25 mcum, which is 16.96% of the designed live storage. Last year, the total live storage of these dams was 323.27 mcum, which was 19.92% of the designed live storage.
Hence the shortfall is about 3% of water stock as compared to same day last year.
The water storage situation is not alarming as of now and there no need to panic just right now, but if the monsoon gets delayed further, then the situation could turn problematic. Based on rough calculations of the monthly usage, the current water stock across the dams of Pune could be stretched to July 15th, after which the city could run out of water!
We must take measures to stretch our water resources for as long as the monsoon doesn’t get vigorously active over Pune.
Data source: Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra
