Mumbai: Water Cut Lifted by BMC as Lakes Surpass 81% Capacity

Mumbai, 9th August 2023: In a significant development, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced the cessation of the water cut, effective Wednesday, owing to the remarkable recovery in lake levels, which now stand at over 81% of their capacity.

This decision comes in the wake of a substantial surge in water reserves subsequent to a substantial downpour in July. Despite these positive trends, the administration initially hesitated to revoke the water cut due to concerns over a potentially dry August.

Previously, the civic authority had drawn from the reserved stock of the Upper Vaitarna in June without resorting to the imposition of water cuts. However, as the stock plummeted to levels below seven percent and the monsoon rains faced delays, the BMC took the step to enforce a 10% water cut, starting from July 1. Despite the considerable rainfall witnessed throughout July, the administration maintained its stance, resisting the withdrawal of the water cut despite mounting calls from citizens and political entities.

The city’s water supply relies on a network of seven lakes, with two located within city limits – Tulsi and Vihar – while the Bhatsa, Tansa, Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, and Modak Sagar are situated on the city’s outskirts. Collectively, these reservoirs boast a storage capacity of 14.47 lakh million litres of water, and the current combined stock has risen to 11.79 lakh million litres.

If these lakes manage to maintain their full levels through the conclusion of the monsoon season, extending until September 30, the city can anticipate an uninterrupted water supply stretching all the way to the following June.