In 21 days, lake levels at 60%; water cut may be reviewed

Rise to 800 billion litres on Thursday, from 400 billion litres on July 24

MUMBAI: Good rainfall in catchment areas over the past 21 days has led to a sharp rise in the water levels of the seven lakes that supply drinking water to the city. From around 400 billion litres (30% of full capacity) on July 24, the water level on Thursday was at 800 billion litres (60%). However, there is still a shortfall of 600 billion litres of water.

According to data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the seven lakes have 870 billion litres of water at present, which is 60.17% of their total capacity of 1.447 trillion litres. On Sunday, the water levels were at 731 billion litres (50.53%). The overall lake level for the corresponding period in 2019 was 92.38 % and 88.26% in 2018. Bhatsa dam, which caters to 55% of the city’s total water requirement, is at 60.75 % of total capacity, compared to 89.78% at this time in 2019. Two of the seven lakes, Tulsi and Vihar, have overflowed so far.

BMC is monitoring the situation and the 20% water cut announced on August 5 could be reviewed next month, depending on rainfall over the next 20 days. A BMC official said, “If there is sufficient rainfall and the lakes are full, we can review the water cuts. Normally, the situation is reviewed in the first week of October, but this year due to shortfall, the situation is being constantly monitored.”

There were no water cuts in 2019, owing to good rainfall in catchment areas. BMC had imposed a 10% water cut in 2018, and a 20% cut in 2016 .

BMC supplies 37.52 billion litres of water daily against the city’s demand for 42 billion litres. Further, BMC chief Iqbal Singh Chahal plans to bring water to Mumbai from Bhandardara dam in Ahmednagar, if required. However, a decision on this may be taken next month.