Pune: Following the heavy rains on July 25, the water level in live storage of Ujani Dam has surged, reaching 35% from a negative balance within just three days.
This significant rise has brought 15 TMC of usable water, providing much-needed relief to the farmers who have been struggling for months to irrigate their crops.
Farmers at Palasdev have been seen working together to move their pumps to safer locations, experiencing a mix of exhaustion and joy as the canals fill up. The rapid increase in water has led to a flurry of activity to secure pump cables along the riverbanks.
Last year's drought left the Ujani Dam at just 60 per cent capacity, with additional depletion for Solapur's drinking water needs, leading to exposed irrigation pumps by early May.
The struggle for water has been ongoing, with efforts now directed at protecting the pumps from the rising water. The Ujani Dam supports over 40 sugar factories and irrigates more than 30,000 hectares of sugarcane fields.
With the increased water storage, farmers are now intensively planting sugarcane, though labor costs have also risen.
Early June rains had prompted initial planting, but a subsequent dry spell halted progress. Uncertain about the dam's capacity, farmers paused their efforts.
However, recent heavy rains in Pune and surrounding areas have boosted Ujani's water level significantly, bringing it to 35 per cent of its useful capacity from the deadstock.
This summer has been particularly tough for farmers, who invested heavily in obtaining water. Despite their relentless efforts, peace remained elusive.
Their ongoing struggle highlights the relentless hard work required in farming. The sight of previously dry canals now filled with water has brought tears of joy to the farmers who had been facing despair.
