Pune plans weekly once water cut to avert water crisis
With the mercury level going up in Pune coupled with the prediction of a delayed monsoon this year, the authorities have proposed a cut in water supply for one day a week in the city. The final decision, however, will be taken in the next few days at a meeting on water management to be chaired by Pune’s Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil.
A meeting of officials of the district water resources department and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) was held Tuesday to chalk out steps to handle the possible water crisis in the city.
The city gets water mostly from Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon, and Temghar dams while some parts get water from the Bhama Askhed dam. The available storage in dams is 12.5 TMC, with 7 TMC reserved for meeting the domestic needs of the people in the city, and 5 TMC for irrigation. The rising temperature is likely to evaporate 2 TMC water from the dams in the next few months leading to possible water shortage.
“There was a discussion on the current water situation and possible water scarcity considering the delay in monsoon as well as a prediction of less rainfall this year. Thus, the available water should be used in a way that it should meet the basic demand till August 31,” said a civic officer, who added that the authorities have proposed a water cut once in a week.
The PMC has clarified that it was against water cuts on alternate days as it disturbs the entire water supply system.
“The supply can be halted for a day as it is done during the repair and maintenance work. For the next two months, the water cut can be introduced for a day in a week which can be managed properly by the civic administration,” the officer said.
The municipal corporation also ensured it will work towards reducing consumption by stopping leakages and also stop using water for washing vehicles and construction activities.
Meanwhile, Pune is in for a spell of hot weather as the temperature is expected to cross 40 degrees Celsius in the next few days. While thunder and lightning are expected, they would not provide relief as the maximum temperature is likely to settle at 39 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature at 20 degrees Celsius.
