Mumbai’s lake stocks increased from 5.9% to 53.1% by July 23. Despite rains, a 10% water cut remains. Bhatsa and overflowing Tulsi are crucial. BMC hopes for full July capacity

MUMBAI: July began with the total water stocks in the seven lakes that supply to the city at a dismal 5.9%, forcing BMC to use reserve water stocks. Twenty-three days later, the scenario has vastly changed. Following intense rain activity, water levels in these lakes have surpassed the 50% mark on Tuesday. Total water stocks in the seven lakes rose to 53.1% on July 23 from 5.9% on July 1.
The city, though, is still facing a 10% water cut as officials have not yet announced its withdrawal.

Lake

As of Tuesday, the lakes collectively held 7.7 lakh million litre of water against the full capacity of 14.5 lakh million litre. BMC, though, said there is still a long way to go and as the maximum rainfall is recorded in the month of July, they hope the lakes fill to their maximum capacity.
On the same date, July 23, last year, water stocks stood at 7.3 lakh million litre or 50.2% of the total while in 2022, the figure was 12.7 lakh million litre or 87.5%.
Last month, when the city witnessed below-average rainfall and water stocks in lakes dipped below 10%, BMC began to make use of reserve water stocks. In Feb, the state irrigation department approved BMC’s request to use reserve water stock from Bhatsa (1.4 lakh million litre) and Upper Vaitarna (93,500 million litre).
Bhatsa is the largest lake from where Mumbai gets its daily water supply. More than 50% of the city’s daily water requirement comes from Bhatsa. Currently, the water level in Bhatsa lake is 127.85 metre against the full supply level of 142m.
While the total water stocks have crossed the 50% mark, Tulsi, the smallest lake, overflowed over the past weekend. Two other lakes, Vihar and Tansa, are currently less than 1m from the overflow mark. Vihar’s current level is at 79.5m, just a little short of its full supply level of 80.1m. Meanwhile, Tansa lake’s current level is 127.9m against the 128.6m full supply level.
While BMC usually supplies around 3,900 million litre of water daily to Mumbai, currently there is a 10% water cut in force in the city. Civic officials have said the cut will continue till water stocks reach a satisfactory limit. The maximum percentage of potable water is supplied by Bhatsa. Upper Vaitarna provides for 16% of the water needed, Middle Vaitarna 12%, Modak Sagar 11% and Tansa 10%. Tulsi and Vihar lakes, located inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, provide for a total 2%.