Mumbai, renowned for its monsoon-dependent water supply, is currently facing one of its most critical water shortages in recent years. As of Tuesday, the city’s total water stock plummeted to approximately 5.3%, marking the lowest level recorded over the past five years. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has expressed concerns over the dwindling reserves but assured residents that measures are in place to sustain water supply until July 31.
The usable water stock across Mumbai’s seven catchment area lakes currently stands at 76,602 million litres, representing a mere fraction of the annual requirement of 14.47 lakh million litres. This stark figure underscores the severity of the situation, especially given the city’s heavy reliance on these reservoirs for its daily water needs.
BMC officials have reiterated their commitment to managing the crisis, noting that the current water reserves, supplemented by the reserve stock, should suffice for the city’s demands until the end of July. The assurance comes amid ongoing measures to mitigate the impact of the water scarcity, including a 10% water cut imposed with government approval. “Despite the challenges posed by the depleted water reserves, there are no immediate plans to either withdraw the existing water cut or intensify it,” stated a BMC spokesperson. The municipality has been utilizing reserve stocks from lakes such as Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna, authorized by the state government to meet the pressing water requirements of Mumbai.
Mumbai’s water supply structure heavily leans on Bhatsa Lake, which contributes 48% of the potable water supply, followed by Upper Vaitarna at 16%, and other reservoirs such as Middle Vaitarna, Modak Sagar (Lower Vaitarna), Tansa, Tulsi, and Vihar lakes collectively accounting for the remaining percentage. Despite these efforts, the city lacks alternative water resources, with plans for wastewater recycling and desalination still in developmental stages. The current situation has prompted BMC to urge citizens to exercise judicious water usage and conservation practices to prolong the available reserves. As Mumbai navigates through this challenging period, attention remains focused on sustainable water management strategies to secure the city’s water future amidst fluctuating rainfall patterns and increasing water demands.
