Pune: Continuous heavy rains over the past two days in Pune city and the dam catchment areas have caused the water to be released in Mutha river and subsequently flow into Ujani Dam to surge to more than 144,000 cusecs as of Friday (July 26) morning.

The dam, which had reached historically low levels during this year's drought, is now expected to move towards live storage levels by July 26 evening, providing much-needed relief to farmers in Pune, Solapur, and Ahmednagar districts.

The water level in Ujani Dam, crucial for the regions of Solapur, Pune, and Ahmednagar, is rising rapidly. By 6 AM Friday, the dam required an additional 1.45 TMC of water to exit dead storage.

Currently, 144,149 cusecs of water are being discharged into the dam from Daund, swiftly pushing it towards live storage. The Ujani Dam has a total capacity of 123 TMC, with a dead storage capacity of 63.66 TMC.

Last year, Ujani was filled to 60.66% capacity. Continuous discharge during the Lok Sabha elections caused the water level to plummet to 60% below the minimum this year, raising concerns among farmers about the dam’s potential to refill. However, rain since June 1st has gradually replenished the dam.

With the current rapid influx, the dam is expected to surpass zero levels and begin filling live storage by tomorrow afternoon. The Ujani Dam can hold 63 TMC in dead storage and 53 TMC in live storage.

By tomorrow afternoon, it is anticipated that the dam will hold 63 TMC in dead storage and start accumulating water in live storage.

Ujani Dam Capacity:

• At 100% full, the dam holds 117 TMC of water.

• At 111% full, it holds 123 TMC of water.

• Dead storage capacity: 63.65 TMC

• Live storage capacity: 53.34 TMC

• Dam Water Level Status as of 6 AM on July 26, 2024:

• Total water storage: 62.21 TMC

• Live water storage: -1.26 TMC

• Discharge from Daund: 144,149 cusecs