The Pune division is currently facing a critical water shortage, with dam storage levels dropping to just 25.26%—the lowest among all administrative divisions in Maharashtra. With the monsoon season still weeks away, the rapid depletion of reservoirs has sparked serious concerns for urban and rural supply lines alike.
In response, the Maharashtra government’s Water Resources Department has issued an urgent appeal to citizens and farmers to conserve water as extreme summer heat and rising consumption continue to strain available reserves.
Comparative State-Wide Dam Storage Levels
While the overall water stock across Maharashtra’s 3,000+ dams stands at an average of 33.95%, the situation varies drastically by region. The Pune division sits significantly below the state average, even though its current capacity is marginally higher than the 22.29% recorded during the same period last year.
| Administrative Division | Current Water Storage (%) |
| Amravati | 44.39% |
| Nagpur | 42.66% |
| Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | 38.38% |
| Konkan | 37.76% |
| Nashik | 34.60% |
| Pune | 25.26% |
Climate Factors Accelerating Depletion
Irrigation officials point to a combination of environmental factors and shifting weather patterns for the sharp decline in water levels since March:
- Evaporation and Demand: Intense summer temperatures have caused massive evaporation losses, while simultaneous demand for drinking water and agricultural irrigation has peaked.
- The El Niño Factor: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted below-normal rainfall for the region due to the lingering El Niño effect, raising the probability of prolonged water scarcity.
Impact on Local Municipalities: The Pune division encompasses major reservoirs that supply drinking water to Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and extensive neighboring rural belts.
State authorities warn that if the upcoming monsoon rains turn out to be weak or delayed, municipal bodies may have to enforce stricter water management and rationing measures. The Water Resources Department continues to urge the public to eliminate water wastage and use the remaining stock with absolute responsibility until fresh monsoon inflows arrive.
