Mumbai’s Water Reserves Hit Three-Year Low as Lakes Dwindle to 37.9% Capacity

Mumbai, 14th March 2024: As the city grapples with soaring temperatures in March, the water reserves in the seven lakes that cater to Mumbai have dwindled to 37.9 % of their total capacity, marking the lowest level in the past three years.

Despite this concerning decline, senior civic officials have assured residents that no water cuts will be enforced. This assurance comes after the state government responded to the BMC’s appeal for additional potable water by approving nearly 15.76 % of its stock.

Comparatively, on the same day last year, the water reserves were nearly 44 %, and in 2022, they were at 46.5 %. Presently, the lakes are at 37 % capacity, meeting the city’s monthly water demand of 12-13 % of the lake quota.

The looming threat of exhausting water reserves before the official onset of monsoon, typically set for June 25, has raised concerns. However, BMC officials have allayed fears, emphasizing that the additional allocation sanctioned by the state government will compensate for the shortfall, thus negating the need for water cuts.

P Velrasu, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), affirmed that the state government’s approval of the BMC’s requests for extra water from Bhatsa Lake and Upper Vaitarna will forestall any water shortage for citizens.

The BMC had previously warned of a potential 10 % water cut if their requests were not approved. However, with the state government’s endorsement on February 29, the BMC retracted its plans for water cuts.

P Malwade, an engineer from the civic hydraulic department, explained that the city is currently reliant on existing water reserves, but will tap into the additional allocation once the current stock is depleted.

Experts attribute the faster depletion of lake levels this year to reduced rainfall in September and October during the monsoon season. Last season, the delayed onset and early withdrawal of the monsoon, declared on October 7, exacerbated the situation, leading to accelerated evaporation of water reserves.