Mumbai’s Lakes Hit Record Low at 5.45% Capacity, BMC Maintains Current Water Cut

Mumbai, 18th June 2024: The water levels in Mumbai’s seven lakes, which supply water to the city, reached a record low on Saturday. Despite this, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) assured that there are no immediate plans to impose an additional water cut in the city.

According to BMC data, as of Saturday, the water levels were at 5.45%. Earlier, on June 15, 2023, the levels were recorded at 8.9%, and in 2022, they stood at 12.24%.

Currently, a 10% water cut is already in place as per civic authorities.

“We will continue with the 10% water cut this month, and as of now, there are no new plans for further cuts. We are closely monitoring updates from the India Meteorology Department (IMD), and there is optimism for substantial rainfall later in June. Therefore, we expect the water levels to begin recovering in the coming weeks,” explained a senior official.

Officials indicated that a reassessment of the water situation will be conducted in early July. Last month, the state government’s irrigation department approved BMC’s request to utilize reserve water stocks of 1.37 lakh MLD from Bhatsa Dam and 91,130 lakh MLD from Upper Vaitarna Dam.

Mumbai sources its water from seven lakes: Tansa, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tulsi, Vehar, Upper Vaitarna, and Middle Vaitarna. These lakes fill up during the monsoon season, replenishing Mumbai’s water supply.

These lakes are situated on the outskirts of Mumbai and in neighboring districts such as Thane and Nashik.

Officials noted that each percentage point of water stock equates to approximately three days of supply. Mumbai’s daily water requirement is 4,200 MLD, yet the BMC is currently supplying 3,850 MLD.