look news india
The country’s financial capital Mumbai is currently standing on the verge of a very serious crisis. The water level of seven major reservoirs that quench the city’s thirst has dropped rapidly, due to which there is a danger of severe water shortage in the coming days. If there is no heavy rain in the next few days, Mumbaikars may face severe water cuts from the beginning of July.
Water stock near danger mark, increased concern of BMC
According to the latest data from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), as of the morning of June 20, the total water stock of seven major lakes and ponds supplying water to Mumbai has dropped to just 9%. Monsoon has arrived in Mumbai, but its catchment areas have not yet received enough rainfall to increase the level of reservoirs.
Mumbai’s total water storage capacity is 1,447,363 million litres, while currently only 130,275 million liters of water is left for use. BMC officials have clearly warned that if the monsoon does not pick up pace in the last week of June, then additional water cuts will be imposed in the entire city from the first week of July.
The lakes which were called the lifeline of Mumbai have become empty.
These seven reservoirs spread across Mumbai, Thane and Nashik districts are the main source of daily water supply for the city. At present the situation of some of the biggest water sources has become very worrying:
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Upper Vaitarna: The useful capacity of this large reservoir is 227,047 million litres, but at present its ‘live stock’ has been completely exhausted and the lake has almost dried up.
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Tansa: Only 5,015 million liters of water is left here, which is only 3.46% of its total capacity.
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Bhatsa: In this largest reservoir (capacity 717,037 million litres) which provides maximum water to Mumbai, only 8.30% i.e. 59,518 million liters of water is left.
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Middle Vaitarna: Here too the crisis has deepened and it is at only 10.34% of its capacity.
Talking about small reservoirs, 25.18% water is left in Modak Sagar and 22.28% water is left in the smallest lake Tulsi. The only relief is that ‘Vihar’ lake is currently 41.44% full, but due to its small size it cannot fulfill the needs of the entire city for long.
Yellow alert amid humidity, eyes fixed on meteorological department’s forecast
On one hand there is water crisis, on the other hand Mumbaikars are troubled by the scorching heat and humidity. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘yellow alert’ for Mumbai, where the temperature remained between 29 degrees to 35 degrees Celsius. Despite cloudy skies, the catchment area awaits heavy and persistent monsoon rains.
It is a matter of relief that meteorologists have expressed hope that monsoon activities will become more active from Monday. It is estimated that the pace of rain will increase in Mumbai and its surrounding areas from June 22.
Will there be relief from this crisis in the coming days?
According to the Meteorological Department, in the next 48 hours, there may be strong winds at a speed of 30-40 km per hour along with lightning in the afternoon and evening and there is a possibility of good showers. If this estimate proves correct and there are torrential rains in the catchment areas of the lakes, then there will be an improvement in the water level. BMC will consider giving any relaxation in water restrictions only after the inflow of water increases, otherwise the people of Mumbai will have to manage their water expenses in the coming weeks.
