As summer hits Pune with rising temperatures, residents are facing difficulties due to recurring water pipeline bursts in the city.
Two days ago, a 1,200 mm diameter water pipeline supplying key areas in Sadashiv Peth and Shivajinagar burst again at Dandekar Bridge, resulting in the wastage of millions of liters of water. This marked the second pipeline burst in the same area within just two days.
This pipeline burst comes at a time when Pune is facing an impending water crisis amid the peak summer season.
Currently, the demand for water has surged in Pune due to rising temperatures. Meanwhile, the quartet of dams supplying water to Pune is at 47.11% capacity as of March 26, compared to 44.63% in 2024.
The water levels are depleting fast, having dropped from 53.40% on March 11.
Official records reveal that the cumulative water storage of the Khadakwasla reservoir stands at 70.01% as of March 26, compared to 54.94% in 2024.
Panshet reservoir is at 48.51%, while Temghar stands at 10.84%. Additionally, the Warasgaon dam stands at 52.67% capacity.
In dams supplying water to Pimpri Chinchwad, Pavna's water level is at 47.46%, Kasarsai at 43.03%, and Mulshi at 47.63%.
Water cuts in Pune?
Meanwhile, several Punekars are now complaining of lower water pressures in several areas like Aundh and Gokhalenagar, leading to difficulties for them during the heightened summer months. The summers in Pune are increasing day by day, which has led to an increased water demand in the city. Additionally, the ongoing battle between the civic body and the irrigation department has also kept a looming threat of a water cut on the city.
Housing societies and individual residential structures that are disregarding concerns about excessive water usage have received a severe warning from PMC. PMC had placed water meters throughout the city to track usage as part of the Equal Water Supply Scheme. Some societies have not complied with instructions to cut back on their water usage. The civic organization is now considering turning off their water supply as a result. Warnings have been sent out directing communities to patch leaks and use less water. But the defaulters' continued disobedience of these letters has led to PMC deliberations about turning off their water supply.
