Rains in Pune, but the catchment areas of dams are still dry

PUNE: After a delay of more than a month, the city finally got drenched in the monsoon rain but it is not enough for Puneites to rejoice as the catchment areas of four dams which provide water to Pune are still dry. Last year on the same day, the four dams had total water storage of 12.60 TMC but this year there is only 1.11 TMC water in all four dams. The statistics also shows that the Khadakwasala dam had received total 30 mm rainfall from June 1 to July 12 but this year so far it has received only 30 mm rainfall which is only ten percent compare to last year.The water which four dams namely Khadakwasala, Panshet, Warasgaon and Temghar is holding is mere 1.11 which can not fulfill the requirement of the city beyond one month. Anticipating the water crisis, the Pune Municipal corporation has already announced water supply on alternate days for Pune from Monday. Now the civic body is hoping that it rains in the catchment areas and these dams are fill to their capacity to provide water through out the year.However, the present situation of all four dams is not at all pleasant. In fact, according to the irrigation department officials, it is a matter of concern that the catchment areas of these dams are still dry even at the end of the second week. An official of the irrigation department told dna, " Last year on July 12, all four dams were holding total of 12.60 TMC water as there was good amount of rain in the month of June. However this year, the entire June month has gone dry as a result of which the dams are holding only 1.11 TMC water."The irrigation department officials also stated that even if the city is getting some rain from last couple of days, it is not useful to fill up the dam area there is still very less rainfall in the catchment areas. Since June 1, the Khadakwasala dam area has received 30 mm rain, Panshet dam has received 121 mm rain, Warasgaon has received 131 mm rain and Temghar has received 222 mm rainfall which is very less compare to the last year.In compare to the present situation, last year from June 1 to July 12, the Khadakwasala dam had recorded 302 mm rain, Panshet had recorded 996 mm rain, Warasgaon had recorded 998 mm rain while Temghar had received 1,149 mm rainfall.Rainfall recorded in dam areasKhadakwasala2013: 302mm2014: 30mmPanshet2013: 996mm2014: 121mmWarasgaon2013: 998mm2014: 131mmTemghar2013: 1149mm2014: 222mm