Pune: The water was released from the Khadakwasla dam to the Mutha River for the first time the rainy season on Thursday after reservoir storage increased to more than 90%.
The irrigation department began releasing water at 2,446 cusecs in the afternoon and increasing the debit rate to 25,036 cusecs after 11:00.
Irrigation department officials said the water discharge was a precautionary measure because the water level in the reservoir rose above 90% – Mark followed a heavy rain spell in the catchment area.
“Water discharge starts in general after the level in the reservoir reaches this level.
The disposal level increases gradually, depending on rainfall in the rainwater catchment area so that flooding in lowland areas can be avoided,” PK Shelan, sub-division engineer with Khadakwasla Irrigation Circle , said, adding a debit rate to be reduced after the intensity of rainfall in the catch is reduced.
On Thursday night, Khadakwasla had 1.9 thousand cubic feet (TMC) water.
This is the smallest among four reservoirs in the Khadakwasla circle and, filled up to 100% faster.
Panghet 60% full, Varasgaon was filled with up to 51% and Guggain storage reached 36% on Thursday night.
Water is not released from three dams on Thursday because the water level is still below 75%.
Meanwhile, four dams collectively added more than 2 TMC water throughout Thursday, pushing collective storage to 16.38 TMC (56.18%).
The dam has added more than four TMC water since Wednesday morning, when collective shares have been established at 12.24 TMC.
On Thursday morning storage has increased to 14.24 TMC.
Temghar recorded 190mm rainfall until Thursday night, while Varasgaon and Panghet received 101mm and 95mm, respectively.
Khadakwasla received 15mm rainfall.
Stock in Pavana Dam, who supplied water to Pimpri Chinchwad, increased to 5.17 TMC (60.7%) on Thursday night.
Dendungan Dam receives 89mm rainfall throughout the day.
In Bhima Basin, water storage in Kalmodi and Casilsai increased almost with their respective capacities, requiring water discharge.