BMC to use reserve water stock as water level in lakes dips to lowest point in last 3 years

“At present, the water stock is at 16.8 per cent, but we can dip into the water reserves once the state government approves it. So, as of now, the BMC does not see any problem of water shortage. Therefore, we do not plan to impose water cuts in the immediate future,” P Velrasu, additional municipal commissioner (projects), told the Indian Express Sunday.

Mumbai draws its daily water supply from seven different lakes – Tansa, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tulsi, Vehar, Upper Vaitarna, and Middle Vaitarna. Most of these lakes are located on the outskirts of Mumbai and in neighbouring districts like Thane, Bhiwandi, and Nashik.

The BMC also keeps a reserve stock ready for an emergency situation resulting from insufficient rain.

Mumbai has a requirement of 4,200 million litre per day (MLD) of water. However, the BMC is able to provide only 3,850 MLD.

Meanwhile, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon is expected to hit Mumbai tentatively between June 10 and 11. IMD officials said the monsoon will reach Kerala in the first week of June, following which it will move northwards.