Pune, Oct 15 (PTI) The Pune district administration has decided to reduce water use from the Khadakwasla dam system by 20 per cent amid drought conditions and concerns over a possible delay in the next monsoon, Collector Jitendra Dudi said on Thursday.
The administration has also set October 20 as the deadline to complete crop damage assessments across all 13 talukas of the district, so that affected farmers receive government assistance before Diwali, he said.
Dudi clarified that the 20 per cent water-use reduction applies only to the Khadakwasla dam system, which currently has 82 per cent usable water stock, and not to the entire district. The existing 10 per cent reduction will continue for the Pavana dam, which has 95 per cent water stock.
The Maharashtra government has already directed a 10 per cent reduction in water use from dams, while district-level committees have been authorised to take additional measures wherever necessary, the Collector said.
The administration is planning water utilisation up to August 31, 2027, instead of June, in view of the possibility of delayed rainfall next year, he said.
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast indicates that El Nino conditions could strengthen from December, potentially affecting the next monsoon, Dudi said.
Drinking water will be accorded the highest priority, followed by irrigation and other requirements, he said, appealing to Pune residents not to panic. The administration is taking advance measures to avoid further water cuts during April, May and June next year, he said.
Around 80 per cent of crop damage assessments have been completed across the district, where drought has been declared in 10 talukas. The exercise has been underway for the past 15 days, with joint teams from the revenue, rural development and agriculture departments working on a war footing.
In Ambegaon and Junnar, where drought was declared recently, 60 to 70 per cent of the assessments have been completed. In Mulshi, Maval and Haveli, which are not among the 10 drought-affected talukas, around 50 per cent of the assessments have been completed, Dudi said.
The administration will seek funds from the state government after completing the exercise, he added.
Responding to complaints about improper assessments, Dudi said tehsildars had been instructed to visit the affected areas and cross-check the findings wherever farmers raised objections.
The administration will also provide funds through the District Planning Committee (DPC) over the next two to three months to increase fodder production, as the district may face a shortage of fodder for cattle.
Irrigation water rotations during the rabi season will prioritise fodder crops, followed by vegetables and perennial crops. Regular irrigation rotations during the summer may not be possible this year, making water conservation essential, he said.
The administration has also directed officials to take strict action against the illegal use of water released for drinking purposes. Revenue, police, irrigation and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited officials will jointly prevent illegal water lifting using generators or heavy machinery, while unauthorised electricity connections used for such activities will be disconnected.
The Zilla Parishad has been asked to lay temporary pipelines wherever necessary to minimise water loss and ensure supplies reach villages at the tail end of the distribution network, including those in Indapur taluka.
At present, eight water tankers are operating in the district — four in Baramati, three in Indapur and one in Daund. Additional tankers will be deployed wherever required, Dudi said.
Water conservation works are also being undertaken in rural areas through government schemes and corporate social responsibility funds. The administration has urged citizens to conserve water to help meet the district’s requirements over the next 10 months.
The Maharashtra government has declared drought in 85 per cent of talukas so far. PTI SPK KRK
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