Pune district administration has ordered a 20% reduction in water releases from the Khadakwasla reservoir system as the district faces worsening drought conditions and below-expected storage in its dams. The decision was announced by Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi, who also said crop damage assessments would be completed by October 20 so that financial assistance could reach affected farmers before Diwali.
According to the report, the administration has attributed the lower-than-expected reservoir storage to the impact of El Nino conditions. Khadakwasla, which is normally expected to be fully filled by October 15, currently has 82% storage, prompting authorities to begin conservation measures for the months ahead.
The Pune Municipal Corporation and district administration have been instructed to jointly ensure strict water management. Residents have been asked to avoid wastage, while the administration has warned that criminal cases may be filed against people misusing water or drawing it illegally with motors and other equipment.
The administration is also prioritising drinking water and has begun long-term planning to ensure that residents do not face shortages if adequate rainfall is not received in the coming period. The report said water availability in Pavana dam stood at 92%, with planning being undertaken up to August 31, 2027. The supplied report does not specify how the 20% reduction will translate into changes to municipal supply schedules or daily allocations for Pune residents.
The drought response also covers agriculture and livestock. Drought has been declared in 12 talukas in the district, after two additional talukas were recently included, the report said. More than 80% of crop-loss assessments, known as panchnamas, have been completed. The remaining assessments are expected to be finalised before the October 20 deadline, after which the consolidated report will be submitted to the state government.
The administration plans to transfer government assistance to affected farmers before Diwali. The district has also imposed an immediate ban on the movement of green and dry fodder out of Pune district to protect supplies for local livestock during the drought. The measure is intended to prevent shortages of fodder for cattle and other animals as agricultural losses deepen.
For the rabi season, the administration said water releases would first prioritise food grains and vegetables before other crops. The announcement places Pune’s urban water supply and rural water requirements within the same reservoir-management framework, with authorities required to balance drinking water, farming and livestock needs from limited stored water.
The immediate next steps are the completion of the remaining crop-loss assessments by October 20, submission of the final report to the state government and implementation of the planned farmer assistance before Diwali. Municipal and district authorities will also monitor water use and action against illegal extraction under the announced conservation measures.
