Pawana Dam Storage Jumps To 55% After Heavy Rain

A significant increase in water storage has been reported at the Pawana Dam, following heavy rainfall in the catchment area. The dam's live storage has jumped to 55.07%, up from 27.62% on Sunday, after receiving 426 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. This sharp rise in storage has brought major relief to Pimpri-Chinchwad city, which had been facing a severe water crisis due to delayed monsoon rains.

The Pawana Dam is the primary source of water for Pimpri-Chinchwad city, supplying around 550 million litres of water per day. The dam also supplies water to the MIDC area and several municipalities and gram panchayats. Earlier this year, the water level had dropped to just 16%, forcing the Water Resources Department to impose a 15% water cut from June 19.

According to officials, the dam area has received a total of 1,208 mm of rainfall so far this monsoon. However, despite the improved water storage, water supply in parts of Pimpri-Chinchwad was affected on Monday due to a power outage at the Ravet water lifting centre. The disruption stopped water lifting operations and also halted pumping at the Sector 23 water purification plant.

The municipal corporation has announced that water lifting will resume once the power supply is restored at the Ravet centre. Water supply across the city will then be restored in phases, and citizens have been asked to use the available water carefully until normal supply resumes. At present, Pimpri-Chinchwad receives around 650 million litres of water every day, with 550 million litres coming from the Pawana Dam, 80 million litres from the Andra Dam, and 20 million litres from the MIDC.

The increased water storage at the Pawana Dam is expected to ease concerns over water availability in the city. However, the municipal corporation has urged residents to continue using water judiciously, as the water crisis is not yet fully resolved. With the monsoon season still underway, the city can expect further rainfall, which will help to maintain the water storage levels at the dam.

In the coming days, the municipal corporation will focus on restoring normal water supply to all areas of the city. The corporation will also work to ensure that the water lifting and purification operations are carried out smoothly, without any disruptions. With the improved water storage at the Pawana Dam, the city can breathe a sigh of relief, but it is essential to continue using water carefully to avoid any future water shortages.

The situation will be closely monitored by the municipal corporation, and any further updates will be provided to the residents. For now, the increased water storage at the Pawana Dam is a welcome relief, and the city can look forward to a more stable water supply in the coming days.