Pune: MP Murlidhar Mohol has criticized the state Water Resources Department for the recent floods in Pune, citing a lack of coordination and failure to properly inform residents before releasing large amounts of water from the Khadakwasla dam. Mohol emphasized that no one will be spared and an investigation will be conducted in this matter.
Mohol said, "A large amount of water was released from Khadakwasla dam. There was a clear lack of coordination between the administration of the Water Resources Department and Pune Municipal Corporation. If you were going to release 55,000 cusecs of water, it was necessary to inform and warn people about it.
I received information at 5 AM that 55,000 cusecs of water had been released. If only 35,000 cusecs had been released, there would have been no flood. None of this will be tolerated. We will not spare anyone. An investigation will be conducted."
On Wednesday, due to heavy rainfall in the dam area, 40,000 cusecs of water was released into the Mutha river from the Khadakwasla dam’s spillway.
This caused the Mutha river to flood areas such as Deccan, Sinhagad Road, Ekta Nagar, and Pulachi Wadi. The sudden rise in water levels trapped residents in their homes and caused significant property damage.
Heavy rainfall in the areas surrounding Pune's water supply dams resulted in the dams reaching full capacity. Consequently, a large amount of water was released from the Khadakwasla dam early Thursday morning.
Pune residents claimed they received no prior warning before the water was released, while Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar explained that the decision to release water in the early morning was made to minimize inconvenience to the public.
Officials reported releasing 35,000 cusecs of water, causing waterlogging in Pune's low-lying areas. The NDRF and the army assisted in relocating residents to safe areas.
Minister Murlidhar Mohol, after meeting with flood-affected families, reiterated that an investigation would be conducted, stating that if only 35,000 cusecs of water had been released, the flood could have been avoided.
