Pune: Overnight rain spells in catchments of upstream dams prompted the state irrigation department to continue water release into Mutha river from Khadakwasla dam on Wednesday. The release was maintained at a rate of 4,700 cusec, besides the discharge of water into the canal at rate of 1,000 cusec.Irrigation department officials said that though discharge has been reduced from Khadakwasla and other prominent dams, releases will go up again if intensity of rain increases in catchments.An official said, “We have maintained storage in all dams around 100%, leaving no space to store more water. Hence, in case of increase in rainfall, dams will discharge more water. We are in touch with the weather department. Steady rain spells are expected in catchments of dams for the next few days. We have asked the local administrations in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad to remain on alert despite a drop in water discharges.”On Wednesday, Khadakwasla received water from two dams, namely Panshet and Temghar. Water release from Varasgaon was kept on hold. Elsewhere, release from Bhama Askhed dam was increased to a rate of 3,000 cusec.Among major dams, Mulshi recorded over 70mm rainfall in 24 hours ending on Wednesday morning. Panshet and Varasgaon received over 15mm rainfall each, while Pavana received 35mm rainfall.Clean-up in EktanagariOfficials from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said they completed their cleaning drive in the Ektanagari area after water levels in Mutha river dropped. Flooding had taken place in the locality earlier, after water gushed into parking spaces of housing societies, leading to evacuation of several residents. Now, PMC has removed debris and taken up fumigation in the area as a precautionary measure.
