Mumbai Braces for Water Crisis: BMC Set to Impose Water Cut as Reservoir Levels Plunge to 49.37%

Mumbai, 14th February 2024: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is poised to announce water-cut measures in Mumbai by the conclusion of this month as water reserves dwindle to 49.37% across the seven lakes that supply the city. This marks the lowest water stock recorded in the past three years.

The decision to implement water cuts stems from concerns raised by weather experts about a potentially harsher summer this year. On Tuesday, the water stock plummeted to half its total capacity, contrasting sharply with the 54.89% lake levels observed on the same day last year. In 2022, the water stock had maintained a more robust level at 57.39%.

P Velrasu, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), expressed that the city might experience a water cut starting this month if the BMC’s plea to the irrigation department for additional potable water allocation remains unanswered.

“In light of the current situation, BMC will urge the irrigation department to provide more water for drinking purposes. Should our request be declined, a water cut may be enforced by the month’s end,” Velrasu stated, noting that the civic body has already communicated with the irrigation department.

Velrasu explained that the city faces diminished lake levels this year due to reduced rainfall in September and October during the monsoon season. Following a delayed onset and early withdrawal of monsoon last season, the city witnessed its withdrawal on October 7, four days ahead of the official date.

Although the seven lakes had filled by October 2, with the water stock reaching 99.24%, the levels have halved more rapidly compared to previous years. Weather officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the accelerated evaporation to a warmer winter this season and the premature withdrawal of monsoon.

As concerns mount among citizens, the potential for a water cut looms over the city, coinciding with warnings from weather experts about a harsher summer marked by more frequent heatwaves.

“Due to El Nino, we anticipate more frequent heatwaves in the upcoming summer months. Mumbai has experienced a warmer winter this year. If the El Nino persists, a warmer summer is likely, posing challenges as water levels may deplete faster,” explained an anonymous expert from the weather bureau.

Mahesh Palawan from Skymet Weather Services added, “El Nino years are generally warmer, suggesting that this summer could be harsher, with temperatures marginally higher than normal and a possibility of heatwaves across India.”