Pune: Two teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Pune amid incessant rainfall in the city over the past few days with concerns of possible flooding arising after the IMD issued a red alert citing extremely heavy to heavy rains in the area along with other parts of Maharashtra on Sunday.
Pune Collector has also sought the deployment of the Indian Army in the Ekta Nagar area anticipating a flood-like situation after water was released from the three major dams including the Khadakwasla dam on a large scale over fears of it overflowing following days of heavy rains.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of extremely heavy rainfall in Maharashtra’s Palghar, Pune, and Satara districts on Sunday, placing them under an orange alert. Additionally, an orange alert for heavy rains has been issued for Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Sindhudurg, and Nashik.
NDRF deployed in Pune
A total of two teams of the NDRF have been deployed in the Balewadi, Pune City and Chinchwad areas of the district to ensure the safety of residents and deal with any unprecedented situation if it arises to due inclement weather in the region.
“Red alert in Pune district due to continuous rainfall and dam water discharge. Flood risk in Pune & PCMC areas. NDRF teams deployed in Balewadi & Pimpri for safety,” the force said in a post on X.
Red alert in Pune district due to continuous rainfall and dam water discharge. Flood risk in Pune & PCMC areas. NDRF teams deployed in Balewadi & Pimpri for safety.#NDRF#Pune@ANI@sdmamaharashtra@NDRFHq@ndmaindia@PIBMumbai pic.twitter.com/bZgcrGvDI9
— 5 NDRF PUNE (@5Ndrf) August 4, 2024
Water discharge from Pune dams
Officials from the irrigation department reported that 10 TMC of water has been discharged from three dams in the district: Khadakwasla, Panshet, and Warasgaon.
Water released from the Khadakwasla cluster, which includes four dams, has flowed into the Ujani dam, where the current water level stands at 73.38%, Hindustan Times.
Since July 15, dam catchment areas in Pune district have experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, with occasional intense showers. In the past two days, heavy rainfall in both the ghat sections and dam catchment areas has led to a rapid increase in inflow and subsequently, the dam water levels.
According to the irrigation department, water release began from the Khadakwasla dam on July 24, after its water level reached 95 per cent.
“We are also communicating about the dam water level conditions with the concerned authorities. We have also issued advisory for residents in low-lying areas, as there is a chance of water level increase in river,” Mohan Bhadane, sub-divisional engineer of Mutha canal sub- division, Swargate, said.
Due to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Mulshi Dam, the reservoir is experiencing a significant influx of water. As of 11:00 AM on Saturday, the reservoir level stands at 606.60 meters, with a storage capacity of 547.014 MCM (96%).
Starting at 12:00 PM, the discharge into the Mula River will increase from 7,750 cusecs to 10,011 cusecs, with further adjustments as needed. Residents along the riverbanks are urged to avoid entering the river and to relocate any belongings or livestock from the riverbed. It is also important to alert those in low-lying areas and take all necessary precautions.