In a concerning development, water storage levels in Mumbai’s seven key dams have plummeted to a mere 32.32 percent, marking the lowest recorded levels in the past three years.
This precarious situation poses a significant challenge for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as the available water is projected to last only for one and a half to two months, emphasising the urgent need for conservation measures and proactive planning. The seven dams, including Upper Vaitrana, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Madhya Vaitrana, Bhatsa, Vihar, and Tulsi, collectively hold 4,67,766 million litres of water at present, barely meeting the city’s daily demand of 3,800 million litres. With such limited reserves, the BMC faces the daunting task of ensuring uninterrupted water supply until the arrival of monsoon rains, especially if precipitation remains deficient in June. Typically, the BMC estimates that one percent of water is sufficient for three days, translating into a monthly usage rate of approximately 12 to 13 percent. However, scorching summer temperatures exacerbate water evaporation, further straining the already limited reserves. Last year’s water reserves on March 25 stood at 38 percent, while in 2022, they were marginally higher at 41 percent, highlighting the severity of the current situation.
Despite the grim outlook, the BMC has taken proactive measures to mitigate the crisis by securing more water allocations from Bhatsa and Vaitarna Dams after reservoir levels pass 50%. The pre-emptive measure seeks to avoid the need for water cuts, which were proposed earlier but later withdrawn after government approval of increased water allocations. However, challenges persist as maintenance work at the Bhandup water treatment plant has led to a five percent reduction in water availability until April 24, further exacerbating the strain on existing reserves. Additionally, the extravagant water usage witnessed during recent festivities, including Holi celebrations and events, underscores the urgent need for public awareness and conservation efforts to safeguard Mumbai’s water security amidst dwindling reserves. The declining water levels in Mumbai’s dams underscore the pressing need for sustainable water management practices and public cooperation to avert a looming water crisis in the city. The situation warrants proactive measures, including conservation initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and long-term planning to ensure adequate water supply for Mumbai’s growing population and economic activities.
