Heavy Rains Prompt Increased Water Discharge from Maharashtra Dams

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday that water discharge from Koyna and Khadakwasla dams would increase due to continuous rains in their catchment areas. He instructed officials to take necessary actions. In a social media post on X, Fadnavis, who oversees the water resources portfolio, stated that several parts of the state had received persistent showers, prompting the release of water from these dams.

Increased Water Discharge

The discharge from Khadakwasla dam rose from 35,000 cusecs to 40,000 cusecs by Thursday evening. A decision regarding further management of the outflow will be made on Friday morning after reviewing the situation. Similarly, Koyna dam's discharge increased from 20,000 cusecs to 30,000 cusecs on Thursday afternoon and could rise to 40,000 cusecs by Friday morning.

Fadnavis mentioned that the state government is in regular communication with Karnataka regarding the Almatti Dam to prevent flooding in Sangli and parts of Kolhapur. "We are in regular communication with the Karnataka government and chief engineer of the Almatti dam. It is decided to maintain full reservoir level at 517.5 meters to minimise the water spreading in nearby areas," Fadnavis said on X.

Precautionary Measures

Heavy rains battered Pune district throughout the day, flooding low-lying areas and leading to evacuations by NDRF teams. In Sinhagad Road area, Army teams were deployed as a precaution for relief efforts. Earlier in the day, Congress legislator from Kolhapur Satej Patil met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. He requested help to ensure his district is not affected by water breaching the banks of the Krishna river.

Fadnavis also noted that officials have been asked to keep civic bodies informed about potential increases in water discharge. This proactive communication aims to mitigate any adverse effects on local communities.

The state government continues to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with relevant authorities to manage water levels effectively. The focus remains on ensuring minimal disruption and safeguarding residents in affected areas.

The ongoing rains have necessitated these measures, highlighting the importance of inter-state cooperation in managing shared water resources efficiently.