Mumbai's water stock at 50% mark, 25% less than last year

After showers in the first two weeks of July, the total water stock of all the lakes which supply water to the city has finally crossed the 50% mark. But the deficit between the current water levels and the last year's is around 25% and civic administrative officers are unlikely to withdraw 10% water cut in the city, which was imposed in November 2018.

The rainfall has receded from the last 10 days but the water stock in the seven lakes has gradually increased. The water stock reached to the 7.35 lakh million litres level which is slightly over 50% of the total storage capacity of the lakes.

Though it is a good thing, it is very unlikely that the civic body will withdraw the water cut. Around the same time in the last year, the water stock was 10.92 lakh million litres and in July 2017 the water stock was 10.28 lakh million litres which are 75% and 71% of the total storage capacity respectively.

"Last year the level of the lake increased very early, but then there were very few spells of rain in August and September. At the end of September, lakes were filled up to only 90% of the capacity and We had to impose 10% water cut," said one of the officers from the Hydraulic Department of BMC.

This year monsoon started in the last week of June and after a few heavy spells in the first week of July, the rain receded. Tulsi Lake which is in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park started to overflow on July 12. Modak Sagar lake filled up to 83% of its capacity but on the other hand, Upper Vaitarna has only 8% water stock as the civic body used reserve water from the lake.

Taking A Stock

• 14.47L million litres The total storage capacity of the seven lakes
• 3,800 MLD Daily supply to the city (without cut)