Pune: Chaskaman Dam Reaches Full Capacity: All Gates Opened to Discharge Excess Water

Rajgurunagar, 26th August 2024: The catchment area of the Chaskaman Dam has experienced heavy rainfall over the past two days. As a result, all five gates of the dam have been opened to discharge excess water at a rate of 9,125 cusecs into the Bhima River. The dam administration has reported that the water storage in the dam has reached 100% (8.53 TMC).

Initially, the five gates were closed on 13th August as rainfall in the catchment area subsided. However, with renewed rainfall over the past two days, the gates were reopened on 24th August at 5 AM., and a discharge rate of 4,600 cusecs was initiated. Due to a decrease in inflow, the discharge was halted at 7 AM on 24th August. As inflow increased again later that day, the gates were reopened at 8 PM, and discharge resumed at a rate of 3,685 cusecs. On 25th August, the discharge rate was increased to 4,600 cusecs in the morning, then to 9,125 cusecs at 9 AM, and further to 12,695 cusecs by 9:30 AM. By 11 AM., the discharge had reached 16,210 cusecs.

At noon, with the rain easing, the discharge was reduced to 12,695 cusecs and further decreased to 3,685 cusecs by 12:30 PM. The discharge was stopped at 3 PM. as rainfall subsided. However, in the evening, heavy rain in the catchment area led to the reopening of all five gates at 6 PM, with an initial release of 3,685 cases. As water inflow remained high, the discharge rate was increased to 9,125 cusecs at 7:30 PM.

Currently, the dam is at full capacity, with water being released at a total rate of 9,975 cusecs—500 cusecs through the canal, 9,125 cusecs through the gates, and 350 cusecs through the overflow channel. Continuous rainfall in the catchment area means that the dam administration has alerted the citizens near the Bhima Riverbed, as water will be released by inflow levels.