One week sees lakes surge 9%

MUMBAI: In the past week, the seven lakes that supply water to the city have seen a significant rise in their levels. According to civic data, the water stocks in the lakes, which were at 5.46% or 79 thousand million litres on June 30, have increased to 14.52% or 2.10 lakh million litres as of July 7.
This 9% rise was much-needed as the water stocks in the lakes from where Mumbai gets its supply were lagging behind compared to the previous two years.On the same day in the two last years, the water stocks were at 18% (2023) and 19% (2022) respectively.
Moreover, the steady rains over the weekend have further contributed to the rise in water levels. In a 24 hour span from July 6 to July 7 the water stocks in the lakes increased by 3%, from 10.88% on Saturday, July 6 morning to 14.52% on Sunday, July 7 morning. The largest lake namely Bhatsa from where the city gets almost 50% of its supply received 237 mm of rainfall in a 24 hour period. Bhatsa dam is located in Shahapur area in Thane district which witnesses significant rain activity.
Apart from Bhatsa, rainfall in the 24 hour period between July 6-7 in other lakes like Tansa was 120 mm, Upper Vaitarna 63mm, Middle Vaitarna 48mm, Modak Sagar 80mm, Vihar 26 mm and Tulsi 32mm. This is a positive development for the city, which has been grappling with water scarcity issues and with a 10% water cut in force currently.
It is important to note that while the recent rise in water levels is a positive sign, there is still a long way to go till the lakes are filled upto the full capacity. The lakes need to have 14.47 lakh million litres of water in till September 30 this year for the city to go without a water cut for the rest of the year till the next monsoon season arrives.
The BMC has currently also stopped making use of water from the reserve water stocks which it had received from the state government and has started using water from its own sources.