Mumbai likely to brace for water owing to drained stock in lakes

Mumbai likely to brace for water owing to drained stock in lakes

Mumbai’s cash-rich civic body is likely to impose water cuts in the coming days due to drained water stock in seven lakes that supply water to the city and a lack of alternate sources.

As per media reports, as of now, these lakes have 7.14 lakh million liters (ML), or 49% of water stock, the lowest in the past three years. Last February, Mumbai’s water stock was 54%, and 57% in 2022.

A civic official states that the water stock can reach 14.47 lakh ML on October 1 and the city could then get sufficient water supply as good rainfall is expected in the catchment area of lakes this September and October.

The report added that, the water deficit can continue if there is less rainfall this year, adding that the BMC will urge the irrigation department to arrange more drinking water from Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna lakes.

According to P. Velrasu, Additional Municipal Commissioner (projects), if the irrigation department doesn’t accept request for more drinking water, the Civic Body will be left with no option but to impose water cuts after some time.

Reportedly, the civic body was forced to implement a 10% water cut on July 1st due to the monsoon arriving later than usual last year. The cut was removed on August 9 after the lakes were filled in part by the July’s heavy rains.

To lower air pollution in the city by creating artificial rain, the BMC had asked for expressions of interest in conducting cloud seeding.

However, the plans have been shelved for the time being because the civic organization did not receive a response from seasoned firms.

The city receives 3,900 ML of water per day from the BMC. Lakes Tansa, Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, Tulsi, and Vihar are used to extract water.

News Edit K.V.Raman