Pune: Scanty rainfall in recent weeks has led to water being released from Khadakwasla dam at least three weeks in advance for winter crops.Generally, the irrigation department begins water release for rabi crops around Oct 15, after the official end of the monsoon. However, this time, water will flow into Mutha canal starting from Sept 25. Irrigation department officials said the move was due to less rainfall and possible damage to crops due to lack of water. The department has also received demands for water release from rural areas.State water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil has given a go-ahead to start the water release, which is expected to continue for the next 45 days, officials said.Water released from Khadakwasla dam will flow to areas of Indapur, Daund and Haveli that have witnessed a month-long dry spell. The irrigation department will be monitoring the release to avoid instances of theft and illegal use or misuse.The decision assumes importance as the Khadakwasla dam also releases water to the areas. The department has clarified that the water release for the city will not be hampered amid discharge for rural areas.Irrigation department sources said the situation this year is very much in contrast to the last couple of years, when the release of water for winter crops started in Nov, mainly because of good spells of rainfall across the district. This year, the release started at least two months earlier.Kiran Deshmukh, executive engineer at Khadakwasla irrigation circle, said, “Water was released for the palkhi procession from July 7-15. Thereafter, around 6.4 TMC water was released for kharif crops from July 16 to Sept 24. The release of water for winter crops will start in continuation of kharif release and continue for 45 days.”The collective storage in four dams in Khadakwasla circle stood at 28 TMC on Thursday, 1 TMC less than last year’s storage.Appeal to farmers to use less waterThe irrigation department has appealed to farmers to use less water against the backdrop of a drought-like situation. The department has also approached the district administration to impose prohibitive sections along areas of the Mutha canal and snap power supply to avoid water theft and illegal lifting.
