Overflowing lakes: Mumbaikars rejoice, villagers panic

What may bring joy for citizens of Mumbai may cause pain to villagers around catchment areas. While news of overflowing lakes supplying water to the city is what Mumbai wants to hear about, there are at least 44 villages which shudder at the very thought of excessive rains, which may result in overflowing dams and rivers and consequentially flood these areas.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) water department has written to Tehsildars of Wada, Shahpur, Bhiwandi, Vasai and surrounding areas on Monday with a note of caution that if the lakes overflowed and the levels in the rivers rise in next 24 to 48 hours, there is a possible threat of flooding in the villages. Tehsildars and competent authorities have been asked to take the alert seriously and keep necessary arrangements ready in the wake of a flood situation.

On Monday, Tehsildars of areas which can possibly be affected, had a joint meeting with officials from the irrigation department, water department of BMC and the local police to discuss the issue and be ready for necessary help.

Though there is no immediate threat as such, BMC's water department has claimed that this was a standard procedure that has been followed by them. "Once the lake levels start rising and reaches close to full supply levels, we have to send out alerts to competent authorities so that they are ready with necessary arrangements. We give information and intimation to the collector about the overflow. It is usual protocol," said Ashok Tavadia, hydraulic engineer, BMC.

Tehsildars of villages near the catchment areas around Tansa, Vaitarna and Bhatsa have started taking necessary steps to ensure that they can manage the situation if need arises. However, the situation may only worsen if the rivers and dams overflow due to heavy rains and there is no scope of water holding capacity in water bodies.

"There are nine villages under Shahpur Tehsil. Barring one or two which are at very low level, most villages may be spared if it doesn't rain heavily and continuously," said Avinash Koshti, tehsildar of Shahpur.

Sandeep Chauhan, tehsildar of Wada, said that more than 44 villages under his jurisdiction have been sent alerts. "Although the situation has not arisen as yet, we advise the villagers not to venture near rivers and water bodies connected with dams. One would not know when levels rises suddenly, especially near catchment areas. Villagers tend to enjoy river bathing in monsoon and also take their cattle to the river. So, it is better to send out precautionary messages at first," said Chauhan.

Tehsildars will use social media to alert villagers. "We have cautioned villagers about the possible situation and have also asked them to stay vigilant about the rising water level. There are several villages surrounding catchment areas and it is physically impossible to reach messages to all in time. In such situations, social media is the fastest medium," said a tehsildar.

He added that nowadays villagers have several groups and they share information quickly. We will send out messages to sarpanch, police patil and leading volunteers and youths will be asked to keep vigilance during these times," said a state government official.