Monsoon leaves parting gift: no water cuts till June next year

This image has been used for representational purposes only

The monsoon, which has started to retreat after battering the city for weeks, is leaving with a precious parting gift - almost 100 per cent water stock, which means no water cuts till next year. According to the latest data, all seven lakes of the city - Tulsi, Vihar, Tansa, Modak Sagar, Middle Vaitarna, Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa - are almost full.

The total capacity of these lakes is 14.47 lakh million litres. As the city needs 3,800 million litres of water every day, the stock needs to be at its full capacity by the end the season, i.e. September 30, to ensure uninterrupted water supply throughout the year till June 30.

As of October 11, the water stock stands at 98.29 per cent, BMC said. The extended monsoon did bring the city to a standstill on many occasions, but is also the reason why Mumbaikars won't have to face any water woes till June next year.

How? Let's see
Interestingly, the city's water stock was almost at the same level last year and this year by the first half of the monsoon, i.e. September 15. However, last year witnessed a decline in rainfall during the second half of the season bringing down the water stock to 91. 44 per cent as of September 30.

This year, however, the water level in the seven lakes was at 99.04 per cent as of September 30, as the city continued to witness heavy rainfall until late September. As of October 11, last year, water stock had slumped to 88.14 per cent.

"Last year, the rain receded after the first week of September, whereas, this year, the city and surrounding areas received intermittent shower till date. So even after releasing water many times on heavy rainfall days, the water stock remains at par," said a BMC official.

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates