Power failure sparks water crisis
10% water cut for 24 hours scheduled for western suburbs; 20% cut for eastern suburbs, along with few areas of city; efforts underway to determine location of electricity failure
A sudden power failure at the Padgha power substation has sent ripples of disruption through Mumbai’s water supply network on Monday.
The interruption in power supply, occurring on Monday morning, directly impacted the BMC’s Panjrapur water treatment plant at Bhiwandi, bringing its operations to a standstill. With the treatment plant offline, the entire water purification system ground to a halt, necessitating the suspension of water pumping activities from other sources, including Pise.
In light of the ongoing disruptions, the municipal corporation has announced temporary measures to manage water distribution across the city. Through the main water channel Mumbai-1, a 10% reduction in water supply has been implemented for the entire western suburbs, as well as in areas of the city department such as G South, G North, A Division, until Tuesday. Similarly, through the main water channel Mumbai2, a 20% reduction in water supply has been implemented for the entire eastern suburbs, as well as in select
areas of F North, F South, E, and B divisions of the city division for 24 hours from Monday.
An source alternative power was established
within an hour by civic employees, allowing for the gradual resumption of water treatment processes. Despite the swift response, the effects of the initial shutdown reverberated
through a water distribution network.
Chief of the Hydraulic Engineering Department of BMC, Purushottam Malavade, said, “The work is progressing at a satisfactory pace, and we have temporarily adjusted the water supply through diversion, ensuring that Mumbai residents do not have to endure any inconvenience.”
He said, “As the water treatment facility at Panjrapur gradually resumes operations, it will take some time to restore the water level in the balance reservoirs and service reservoirs, as well as to recharge the water channels with proper pressure (charging). Due to all these technical reasons, some impact is expected on the water supply through the Mumbai-1 and Mumbai-2 main water channels.”
Efforts are underway to determine the location of the power failure along the entire route from the Padgha 100KV power substation to the Panjrapur 3A 100KV power substation.
As per the BMC officials, the process will take some time for the water treatment machinery at the Panjrapur purification centre to be fully operational through alternative power supply. Mumbaikars are urged to cooperate and utilise water judiciously, as per the civic body.
It will take some time to restore the water level in the balance reservoirs and service reservoirs, as well as to recharge the water channels with proper pressure (charging). Due to all these technical reasons, some impact is expected on the water supply through the Mumbai-1 and Mumbai-2 main water channels.
Chief of Hydraulic Engineering Department, Purushottam Malavade