Pune: The monsoon has arrived earlier than ever in Pune this year, setting new records and significantly increasing water levels across the district’s major dams. The early onset, along with unseasonal showers in May, has provided a much-needed boost to water reserves and brought a sense of relief to both farmers and residents.
Pune district, home to 26 key dams (excluding six managed by the Tata Group), has seen its total water storage jump by 36.15 TMC compared to the same time last year. On June 13, 2024, dam levels were at 16.6 TMC. This year, storage has reached 52.75 TMC, marking a substantial 26% of the total usable capacity, which stands at 198.34 TMC. Last year, this percentage was only 8%.
The 2025 monsoon began on May 26, making it the earliest recorded arrival in Pune’s history. Previously, the earliest monsoon hit was on May 29, back in 1962. The normal onset date is around June 8. Even before the official onset, unseasonal rains drenched many parts of the district, with some areas receiving 200 to 300 mm of rainfall, further contributing to the dam inflow.
Current Water Storage in Major Dams (in TMC):
Temghar – 0.03
Varasgaon – 2.83
Panshet – 1.42
Khadakwasla – 0.98
Pavana – 2.22
Chaskaman – 0.98
Bhama Askhed – 1.32
Andra – 1.04
Gunjavani – 0.85
Bhatghar – 1.75
Nira Deodhar – 1.15
Veer – 4.17
Manikdoh – 0.53
Yedgaon – 0.76
Dimbe – 1.50
Thanks to consistent rainfall since the end of May, the four dams supplying drinking water to Pune city have also seen a rise in reserves. These dams—Khadakwasla, Temghar, Panshet, and Varasgaon—collectively hold 5.22 TMC of water as of mid-June, up from 3.97 TMC during the same period last year. This 1.5 TMC increase has helped ease fears of an impending water shortage in the city.
Khadakwasla Dam Chain Storage:
Total Capacity – 29.15 TMC
Current Storage – 5.22 TMC
Storage Last Year (Same Date) – 3.97 TMC
With more rain expected in the coming weeks, Pune appears to be in a much stronger position this year in terms of water availability, both for agriculture and daily consumption.
