The Ransai Dam in Uran taluka, which supplies drinking and industrial water to over 20 gram panchayat villages, ONGC, NAD, and Uran Municipal Council, has begun to overflow unusually early in the month of June. This marks the first time since 2013 that the dam has reached full capacity this early in the monsoon season.
According to Uran MIDC Deputy Engineer Gyandev Sonawane, the dam typically fills up much later in the season. In fact, last year the dam had reached full capacity only on July 18. This year, however, continuous heavy rainfall over the past several days and runoff from the surrounding hills led to the dam brimming and overflowing on Tuesday.
Built in 1971, the Ransai Dam stands 116 feet 6 inches tall and has a storage capacity of 10 million cubic meters. It plays a crucial role in supplying water to 25 gram panchayats, Uran town, industrial units, and a population of around 2.5 lakh people.
Earlier this summer, due to declining water levels, water supply in the region had been curtailed to five days a week. Officials say that the early overflow this year has significantly helped avert a water crisis.
"Everyday we distribute 35 MLD water from the dam and also get 4 MLD water from CIDCO. Every year from November to June, we have water cut two days a week due to less water storage. This year, we might have this cut a little later with the rains support. The water overflowed early this year due to early start of the rains," Sonawane said. The water cut was called back this year on June 10 the residents continue to get water daily.
