Pune rains: Khadakwasla Dam starts water release as heavy rainfall raises reservoir level

The Pune district administration on Tuesday announced that water release from the new Mutha canal of Khadakwasla Dam has started following heavy rainfall in the catchment areaAccording to officials the discharge of 500 cusecs of water from the new Mutha canal began at 12 pm on July 7 Authorities have urged residents to avoid entering the riverbed and remain cautious due to the possibility of rising water levelsToday at 12 PM on July 7 the release of 500 cusecs has been started from the new Mutha canal of Khadakwasla Dam Citizens should not enter the riverbed Take precautions the Pune district administration said in a post on X KhadakwaslaPunemdash DISTRICT INFORMATION OFFICE PUNE Info_Pune July 7 2026Officials monitor rainfall situationThe administration said heavy rainfall in the Khadakwasla Dam catchment area has increased water levels in the reservoirOfficials said the dam has reached 62 per cent of its total storage capacity and further decisions regarding water discharge will depend on the rainfall situationAuthorities are closely monitoring the reservoir level and said water could also be released through the damrsquos spillway if heavy rainfall continues in the coming hoursHeavy rainfall is occurring in the catchment area of Khadakwasla Dam with the reservoir filled to 62 per cent of its capacity Depending on the rainfall situation there is a strong possibility of starting water discharge from the dams spillway Citizens should not venture into the riverbed and should take precautions the Pune district administration said in another post on X mdash DISTRICT INFORMATION OFFICE PUNE Info_Pune July 7 2026Residents near river areas asked to stay alertOfficials have appealed to people living in lowlying areas and near the river to remain alert and follow safety instructions issued by the administrationResidents have been advised not to go close to the riverbed as sudden changes in water flow may occur depending on rainfall and dam dischargeThe advisory comes as several parts of Maharashtra continue to witness intense rainfall leading to flooding landslides and disruptionsHeavy rainfall claims 13 lives across MaharashtraOver the past two days torrential rainfall accompanied by strong winds has affected several districts of Maharashtra leaving 13 people dead and 10 others injuredAccording to the State Emergency Operations Centre SEOC nearly 100 houses have been damaged due to rainrelated incidents forcing several families to leave their homesRainfall data showed the intensity of the downpour across coastal and western Maharashtra Lonavala recorded 625 mm of rainfall in 48 hours while Raigad received 236 mm in 24 hoursThane recorded 161 mm Ratnagiri received 152 mm Palghar reported an average of 132 mm and parts of Mumbai recorded between 100 mm and 161 mm rainfallRivers cross warning and danger levelsContinuous rainfall has caused several rivers and water bodies across Maharashtra to rise rapidlyOfficials said the Ulhas Kalu and Pinjal rivers have crossed warning levels while the Amba Savitri Kundalika Patalganga Jagbudi and Ulhas rivers have breached danger marksFlood alerts have been issued for Badlapur Mohane and Jambhulpada as authorities continue to monitor rainfall and water levels across affected regions