Pune: The Dimbhe Dam in Ambegaon Taluka, which had been struggling with low water levels earlier this year, has seen a rapid rise in water storage due to heavy rains since late July.
After a modest 27.53% water level on July 22, the dam filled to capacity within 13 days, leading to the release of 2.87 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) of water into the Ghod River over the past four days.
According to Dattatraya Kokane, Deputy Engineer of the Dimbhe Dam, the water level surged rapidly after four days of intense rainfall, starting on July 22. The water level doubled to 56.45% by July 25 and continued to rise, resulting in a full dam by early August.
On August 4, at 8:30 AM, with the dam at full capacity, water was released, beginning with a discharge of 2,500 cusecs. As the rain intensified, the discharge rates increased, peaking at 18,000 cusecs into the Ghod River.
By the next day, the rainfall had subsided, allowing the discharge rate to be reduced to 2,500 cusecs into the river and 150 cusecs into the right canal.
Despite the release, the dam remains 92.49% full as of the morning of August 8. The swift filling of the dam has been a boon for farmers in the region, particularly in the talukas of Ambegaon, Junnar, and Shirur, as well as the districts of Ahmednagar and Solapur, who rely on this water for irrigation.
The Dimbhe Dam has filled faster this year compared to last, where it stood at 82% full on the same date. The early filling has brought optimism and relief to the local agricultural community.
