Lakes' stocks dip below 10%, BMC to tap into reserve from Mon; no water cut yet
Mumbai: The collective stock of the seven lakes supplying water to the city has dropped below 10%, prompting BMC to decide on drawing from its reserve quota beginning Monday.
As of Friday, the lakes collectively held 1.3 lakh million litres—just 9.2% of their total capacity.
By the end of Sept, the lakes need to fill up to 14.5 lakh million litres so that the city can avoid a water cut.
So far, no such cut has been announced.
In April this year, the state irrigation department approved BMC's request for additional reserve water stock from Bhatsa (1.4 lakh million litres) and Upper Vaitarna (93,500 million litres).
The lakes had low stocks on the same day last year too, having been filled to just 5.5% (79,711 million litres) of their capacity.
A 10% water cut was imposed on Mumbaikars from June 5-July 29 last year.
Officials said the drop in lake levels is not unusual for June, as monsoon showers typically pick up pace only in July, helping refill the lakes. "Historically, lakes start showing a significant rise only after consistent July rainfall," said a civic official.
Mumbai draws its water from Tansa, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tulsi, Vihar, Upper Vaitarna, and Middle Vaitarna lakes. During the monsoon, the catchment areas of these lakes get filled with water, and the overall stock in these lakes is equated to the actual water stock of Mumbai. The lakes are located on the outskirts of Mumbai as well as Thane and Nashik. Two of the smallest lakes—Tulsi and Vihar—are located within Sanjay Gandhi National Park's premises but meet only 1-2% of the city's needs.
The maximum amount—over 50%—that the city receives comes from Bhatsa lake.
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