Heavy rains in Pune: Intense spells lead to water discharge from Khadakwasla dam; PMC issues alerts for low-lying areas, riverside roads closed

PUNE: Heavy spells of rain in the catchments of various dams in Pune district led to water discharges on Tuesday from major dams, including Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon, Temghar, Pavana, and Mulshi.

The water discharge from Khadakwasla dam was increased to a rate of 15,000 cusecs in the afternoon, prompting the civic administration to issue alerts for low-lying areas about possible flooding. The riverside roads were closed to traffic as a precautionary measure following the rise in the water level in the Mutha river. Heavy spells also led to waterlogging at several places across the city, leading to traffic snarls.

Long queues of vehicles were witnessed in areas of Sinhagad Road, parts of Nagar Road, Sangamwadi area, Katraj-Dehuroad bypass, and in Chakan area. Officials from Pune Municipal Corporation said teams have been deployed to clear waterlogging spots near the key junctions in the city. Officials from the irrigation department said there was a possibility of a further increase in water discharge from Khadakwasla owing to continuous rainfall at dam sites.

Citizens along the rivers are appealed to move to safer locations. Teams have been deployed along the Mutha, Mula, Pavana, and Indrayani rivers that flow across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, officials said. Water was released at the rate of 7,000 cusecs from Panshet and at the rate of 8,000 cusecs from Varasgaon. Water discharge from Mulshi was increased to a rate of 5,000 cusecs in the afternoon.