Under dry spell,city could bear brunt of dipping lake levels

Of the four lakes,Bhatsa — which is the biggest water source for the city — has received less than half the rainfall compared to last year. Other major water sources — Modak Sagar,Upper Vaitarna and Vehar Lake — have also received lesser rainfall than last year.

So far this monsoon,Modak Sagar has received 198.60 mm of rainfall,which is 16 per cent less than last year’s 237.80 mm. Vehar has received almost 30 per cent less rainfall (595 mm) compared to the last year (861.20 mm) and Upper Vaitarna has received four per cent less rainfall (220 mm) compared to 2010 (231.20 mm).

“The lack of rainfall in the city and the catchment areas has dampened our morale. If the rains continue to be erratic and less next month,there might be a chance of water cut in the future,” said a senior official.

While civic officials are worried,weather officials are hopeful that next month will see substantial rainfall. “The next two to three days might see a dry spell as the moisture content in the winds blowing towards the city from the West is very less. But starting July,we are expecting good rainfall as the wind pattern might change,” said R V Sharma,Deputy Director,India Meteorological Department.

Last week saw only 12 mm rainfall in the island city,while suburbs received about 45 mm rainfall on an average. So far,the city has received 439.5 mm rainfall,according to the data recorded at the Colaba weather station,while the Santacruz weather station recorded 630.2 mm rainfall.