Mumbai: Water cut to stay for two more weeks

A slum in Ambawadi, Dahisar East, which is facing a water cut

The monsoon has entered the state and may reach Mumbai within the next two to three days. But even then, the city may have to face water cuts for at least two more weeks as the levels in the lakes are too low. This is the third year in a row where the BMC has imposed a water cut during monsoon months.

The city has been witnessing late arrival of monsoon in the last few years, but the lakes were in a better position this year. Last year, there was 11 per cent stock of water, and in 2022, the city had 14.7 per cent stock. But despite that, the BMC had to impose water cuts in both years due to a prediction of delay in the rainy season.

This year though, the rain has arrived on time, though it still hasn't hit the city. "Even if rain arrives, it will take at least a week to improve the water table of the lakes. We cannot take a risk till the water level improves significantly," said a senior official from the BMC.

As on June 8, 2024, a total of 1,40,202 million litres of water was available in seven dams which is merely 6.1 per cent of the water stock as against 14,47,363 million litres of the total capacity. The state government has given permission to use 1,37,000 million litres of additional water from the Bhatsa Dam and 91,130 million litres from the Upper Vaitarna Dam in addition to the current stock so the water may last for another month.

In 2021 and 2022, the monsoon was active even in October which helped improve water stock. However, in 2023, there was relatively very less rainfall in the month of October. As a result, the water stock was about six per cent less this year as compared to last year.

Previous instances of water cuts during the rainy season, that lasted a few days

2024: The BMC imposed a 5 per cent water cut from May 30, when the water stock went below 10 per cent, and 10 per cent cut from June 5

2023: The BMC fetched reserved stock from Upper Vaitarna in June without imposing water cuts. But as the stock went down below 7 per cent and the rain was delayed, the BMC imposed a 10 per cent cut from July 1 till August 2

2022: 10 per cent water cut from June 28 to July 12, as water stock fell to 9 per cent due to delayed monsoon

2020: 10 per cent water cut from August 5 to 29 due to poor rainfall

A slum in Ambawadi, Dahisar East, which is facing a water cut