Pune: The Kalmodi Dam on the Aarala River in the western region of Khed Taluka has reached 100 per cent capacity as of July 21st, causing water to overflow into the Aarala riverbed. This year, the dam filled four days later than last year, which saw full capacity reached on July 17th.

This dam is crucial for the water supply of villages in Khed Taluka that lack water from the Chas Kaman Dam and also benefits the Satgaon Plateau area in Ambegaon Taluka.

The overflow began on Friday, July 21st. Since 2010, the Kalmodi Dam has consistently filled to its maximum capacity, and it naturally overflows without any gates for water release.

Fluctuating rainfall intensity in recent days has contributed to the dam's filling. The catchment area received adequate rainfall, allowing the dam to reach full capacity.

Currently, water is being discharged at a rate of 32 cusecs into the Aarala riverbed. The dam administration has issued a cautionary warning to riverbank villages due to the potential increase in discharge rate with more rainfall.

Sub-Divisional Engineer D. S. Diggikar, Assistant Engineer S. S. Susundre, and staff members Rohidas Naikade, Sambhaji Bomble, and Shantaram Satpute are vigilantly monitoring the dam.

The dam now holds 42.87 million cubic meters (1.51 TMC) of water. Since June 1st, the area has recorded 446 mm of rainfall. Overflow from the Kalmodi Dam will also benefit the Chas Kaman Dam by increasing its water level rapidly.

Kalmodi Project Union Committee President and former Sarpanch Balasaheb Gopale remarked that the villages of Chikhalgaon, Sakurdi Devoshi, Kude, Yoniye, and Bangarwadi directly benefit from the dam's water.

Many western region villages rely on the Kalmodi Project for their water supply, thus resolving their drinking water issues. Recently, funds facilitated by MLA Dilip Mohite Patil have been allocated to raise the dam's height, which will mitigate summer water shortages and expand the irrigation area.