Water in lakes subsides; BMC says no cuts till July 15

The monsoon is more than two months away and Mumbai’s water stock is 86,152 million litres less compared to the same date (April 4) last year. The figure is equivalent to the amount of water the city consumes in 25 days. Despite this, the BMC’s hydraulic department has ruled out water cuts till July 15.

As per data collected by the hydraulic department on April 4, 2012, the total stock of water in the six lakes in the city stands at 4,07,703 million litres. It was 4,93,855 million litres last year.

Except for the Upper Vaitarna and Tansa, water stock has substantially reduced in the other four lakes. While the stock in Modak Sagar was 35,743 million litres last year, it is 12,470 million litres this year. The Bhatsa lake which had 3,05,032 million litres of water last year  now has 2,35,088 million litres.

The BMC is not perturbed with the figures. “As per the department’s strategy, there will be no water cuts till July 15,” said an official from the hydraulic department.

The BMC, which requires 4,200 million litres of water every day, has increased the daily supply from 3,350 million litres in 2011 to 3,430 million litres since October 2011. “The supply has been increased because of demand from the high rises in the city. As a result, water levels in the lakes have reduced,” the official said.

Citizens though are happy with the water supply and hope there are no cuts. “The water supply at present is quite good compared to last year. But it is surprising that the water levels have decreased compared to last year,” said Andheri resident Rajesh Desai.