Dams in Pune division have 16% more water than last year
PUNE: Mercury is rising in the state, but things are not as stark as the last year in terms of the water stock.
Around 29 major dams in Pune division together have about 16% more water than they did around this time in 2017, according to an irrigation department report.
Around 29 major dams in Pune division together have about 16% more water than they did around this time in 2017, according to an irrigation department report.
Pune division comprises Satara, Kolhapur, Solapur, Sangli and Pune districts. The collective stock in 29 dams was recorded at 147.38 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), or 37.11%. Last year in the same period, the stock in these dams had dropped to 20.97% (83.33 TMC).
This has raised hopes of better availability of water till the onset of monsoon.
Pune district has the most water in stock, with the inclusion of 16 dams, followed by Satara (7), Kolhapur (4) and one each from Solapur and Sangli.
An official from Pune circle’s irrigation department attributed the better stock this year to good rainfall in every dam’s catchment area last year as well as healthy rains in the water supply areas of these dams. “Thanks to good rains overall, the demand for water in the last eight months has remained low, leading to saving of water and better stock, the official said.
As per official data, by the end of last April, stock in two dams — Ujani and Pimpalgaon Joge — had completely depleted. This year, the official said, none of the dams are at 0%, even though 18 dams are filled to less than half their capacity.
These dams include Ujani (18%), Varasgaon (6.55%), Nira Devghar (25%), Mulshi (21.25%), Pavana (38%), Koyna (44%) and Radhanagari (42%).
According to officials, Ujani’s is at 9.79 TMC, which is the highest in five years. Meanwhile, the stock in four dams that supply water to the city was recorded at 9.05 TMC (31%), which is about 1 TMC more than last year’s stock of 8.13 TMC.
Source : The Times Of India
