Pune water crisis deepens as leaks waste 52 billion liters and dam releases cause flooding

The Pune Municipal Corporation’s 2025‑26 Environment Status Report reveals that pipeline leaks are discarding about 522.19 million litres of water each day, inflating the city’s daily requirement to 1,631.84 million litres while the supplied amount remains around 1,110.18 million litres. The report warns that without urgent repairs and better water‑management measures, Pune could face severe shortages and flood risks.

Heavy rainfall in the Western Ghats prompted authorities to release water from Khadakwasla Dam on 31 July 2026, raising discharge to 43,571 cusecs. The surge inundated low‑lying areas along the Mutha River, forcing the evacuation of roughly 40 families in Ekta Nagar. Simultaneous releases from Radhanagari Dam in Kolhapur added to the downstream flooding, submerging numerous weirs and affecting several villages.