Pune: The irrigation department has requested the PMC, PCMC, MIDC as well as Wagholi water supply scheme to reduce its daily water usage by 15%, citing the potential impact of El Niño phenomenon and the likelihood of deficit rainfall in the upcoming monsoon.Alerting the authorities, the department emphasised the need to stretch existing water stocks till the end of August, rather than July 31. Officials stressed that maintaining adequate reserves in dams is crucial, even after the initial arrival of rain.The directive follows recent discussions in the state assembly regarding the impact of El Niño on water security. In response to the state govt’s mandate for cautious water management, the irrigation department sent similar notices to the the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, and the Wagholi water supply scheme to reduce water usage by 15%.Currently, four dams supplying drinking water to the city hold approximately 13.2 TMC (45% capacity) — nearly one TMC more than last year’s stock of 12 TMC. However, irrigation officials warned that despite this surplus, judicious use is mandatory given the climate forecast. At present, these dams continue to supply water to both the city and rural areas for summer crops.“We expect the PMC to implement immediate measures to curtail usage,” said an official from the irrigation department. “While we have not yet initiated a formal supply cut from dams, the civic body must introduce changes in its distribution system to achieve a 15% reduction. These preemptive steps are essential to avoid a crisis toward the end of summer.”PMC’s water supply department confirmed receipt of the letter and is preparing for a consultation. Nandkishor Jagtap, head of the PMC’s water supply department, said, “A meeting will be held in the next two days with the irrigation department to discuss feasibility of these cuts and other related issues. The administration will decide on further course of action following the discussion.”
