With 32% water stock in lakes, Mumbaikars opt for dry Holi

In the grip of the worst water crisis the city has faced in the past three years, Mumbaikars have to opt for 'dry Holi'. At present, lakes supplying water to the city have only 32 per cent water stock.

Though the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not announced any further water cut, the prevailing 10 per cent cut has already left many parts of the city with dry taps.

As per the Hydraulic Engineering department of BMC, the seven lakes that supply water to the city has around 4,71,603 million litres till Tuesday morning. Last year, it was 6,61,841 million litres during the same period. "The water stock is around 13 per cent less that of the previous year. The Middle Vaitarna lake has only 26.15 per cent water stock," said an official from the Hydraulic Engineering department.

Scanty rainfall during the last monsoon forced the civic body to impose 10 percent water cut in the city from mid-November. The BMC received flak from the opposition and citizens for water cut during winter. However, senior civic officials claimed that timely water cut will help them to preserve water for summer. "Despite a dip in the water level in lakes, there will be no further cut," said the official.

However, delay in the arrival of monsoon this year can aggravate the situation. "If monsoon arrives by mid-June, we will have enough water to meet the demand," said the official.