Even as Mumbai’s overall water stock has hit its lowest level since 2022, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has stated that there is adequate stock to last till July 31. As per the BMC data, the water level in all the seven lakes stood at 16.48% as on Tuesday. Last year on May 7, the water stock in the lakes stood at 22.25%, while in 2022, the stocks stood at 25.8%. Earlier this week, the state government's irrigation department had approved the BMC’s request to use a reserve water stock of 1.37 lakh MLD from Bhatsa dam, and 91,130 lakh MLD from Upper Vaitarna dam. “The current water stock is adequate to last till July 31 and the usage and method of deployment of the water supply has been planned in an systematic manner by the BMC. However, citizens should also use water in a carefully,” Bhushan Gagrani, municipal commissioner and state-appointed administrator said. On Tuesday, Gagrani also took a review meeting of the current water stock of Mumbai. Mumbai draws its waters from seven different lakes-Tansa, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tulsi, Vehar, Upper Vaitarna and Middle Vaitarna. During the monsoon, the catchment areas of these lakes get filled with water and the overall stock in these lakes is equated to the actual water stock of Mumbai. Civic officials said every 1 percent of water stock lasts up to three days. “Monsoon in Mumbai is expected to arrive by the first or second week of June. So, going by this, we have adequate stock that will last us till the arrival of monsoon. As a result, there is no need of announcing a water cut as of now and the forecast of monsoon is also very good,” said an official. The average water stock during the months of April and May usually ranges between 20% and 25%, every year. The officials also maintained that the BMC will consult with the Indian Meteorology Department (IMD) before announcing a cut. Meanwhile, owing to maintenance works, several pockets in Mumbai had experienced water cuts ranging between 15 and 30% during the past one month. The lakes are located on the outskirts of Mumbai and in neighbouring districts like Thane and Bhiwandi. Mumbai has a daily water requirement of 4,200 MLD. However, the BMC is supplying only 3,850 MLD at present.
