Will Pune Face Water Supply Crisis This Summer? Here’s What Dams’ Water Stock Tells
Pune, March 04, 2026: Summer has arrived early in Pune this year. March has just begun, but afternoon temperatures are already climbing. With the monsoon still around three plus months away, a common question is being asked across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and nearby areas: will there be enough water till June, or should citizens prepare for cuts?
An early review of key dam levels as on March 4, 2026 gives a clearer picture.
Overall Storage in Pune Region
As per official data from Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra, dams in the Pune revenue region currently hold 9,596.50 million cubic metres (Mcum) of live water storage, which is 62.96% of their designed live capacity. On the same date last year, the figure stood at 57.52%.
This means the region is in a better position compared to last year at this time. However, what really matters for citizens is the status of dams that directly supply water to PMC, PCMC and surrounding areas.
For this review, we are considering only Pawana, Khadakwasla, Panshet, Warasgaon, Temghar and Mulshi Tata dams.
Pawana Dam: Lifeline for PCMC
Pawana Dam, which supplies water to Pimpri-Chinchwad, currently has 136.26 Mcum of live storage. That is 49.67% of its designed live capacity. On the same date last year, it was at 47.98%.
The level is slightly better than last year but still below 50%. If summer turns harsher than usual, PCMC may have to plan carefully in the coming weeks to avoid stress in May.
Khadakwasla, Panshet, Warasgaon and Temghar: Supplying Pune City
These four dams together form the main water source for Pune city under PMC.
Khadakwasla Dam currently stands at 39.85% live storage. This is significantly lower than last year’s 68.77% on the same date. This is a concern because Khadakwasla acts as a balancing reservoir for the city.
Panshet Dam is in a better position, with 69.54% live storage, compared to 61.32% last year.
Warasgaon Dam has 60.77% live storage, slightly lower than last year’s 63.29%.
Temghar Dam is at 69.15%, almost similar to last year’s 69.86%.
Overall, three out of four major PMC dams are around 60–70% full, which is reasonably comfortable for early March. The low level at Khadakwasla, however, will need close monitoring as summer progresses.
Mulshi Tata Dam and Mula River
Mulshi Lake (Mulshi Tata) currently has 316.09 Mcum of live storage, which is 60.47% of its capacity, slightly higher than last year’s 58.43%.
Water released from Mulshi feeds the Mula river, supporting areas along its banks. At present, the situation appears stable.
So, Will There Be Water Cuts?
Based on current numbers, Pune and PCMC are not in an alarming situation as of early March 2026. Storage levels are either comparable to or better than last year in most key dams.
However, three factors will decide what happens next:
- How quickly temperatures rise in March, April and May.
- Increase in daily water consumption due to heat.
- Pre-monsoon rainfall, if any, in May or early June.
If summer remains extremely hot and dry, authorities may introduce precautionary cuts in May to stretch available storage till the monsoon. But as of now, there is no immediate sign of severe scarcity.
For citizens, this is a good time to use water carefully. Even when dams are over 60% full in March, disciplined usage can prevent last-minute restrictions.
The next six to eight weeks will be crucial. By mid-April, the trend in storage decline will give a clearer signal about whether Pune and PCMC can sail through summer smoothly or need stricter rationing.
