Water enters some low-lying areas in Pune as incessant rains lead to discharge from dam

Pune, Jun 19 (PTI) Incessant rains in Pune city and its surrounding catchment areas led to water entering several localities and housing societies in low-lying areas along the Mutha river on Thursday, officials said.

Water released from the Khadakwasla dam, which supplies drinking water to the city, worsened the situation for such areas.

The city has been witnessing heavy rains since Wednesday night. The catchment areas of Khadakwasla and other dams have also been receiving continuous downpour. As a result, the irrigation department is releasing water from Khadakwasla dam.

"As the water level of Khadakwasla dam is rising due to heavy rainfall in the catchment area, water is being released. The water discharge increased to 4,300 cusecs at 4 pm," an irrigation department official said.

As a result of the water discharge, the low-lying Bhide Bridge, a causeway built over the Mutha river, got submerged. Residents of Pune generally consider the submergence of this causeway as an indicator of good rainfall in the catchment areas.

People residing in Hingane area on Sinhagad Road, located along the Mutha river, complained of rainwater entering their houses early in the morning.

"A wall close to the area had breached a few days ago and since it was not repaired, the water is entering into their locality in Sainagar," a woman from the area said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Pune district for next 24 hours. PTI SPK NP