Mumbai rains: Water\, water everywhere\, but not in reservoirs



Mumbai rains: Water, water everywhere, but not in reservoirs

The total water in the seven lakes, which supply water to the city, is 12%. Last year, the water stock was at 21%, and on July 3, 2017, it was at 41%.


Mumbai rains

, PTI

Although the city has received more than 1,000 mm rainfall till now with catchment areas of lakes receiving more rainfall compared to last year, the water stock in the reservoirs has not increased.

The total water in the seven lakes, which supply water to the city, is 12%. Last year, the water stock was at 21%, and on July 3, 2017, it was at 41%.

Mumbai, Palghar and Dahanu areas have received heavy rainfall in the last four days. Tulshi and Vihar lakes in Mumbai have also received good rainfall and are filled up to 67% and 36%, respectively. However, these lakes supply only 4-5% of the total water. The other five lakes, which are in Thane and Nashik district, have also received more rainfall than last year. Bhatsa, the biggest lake which supplies 50% water to the city, received 698 mm rain up till now as compared to last year's 539 mm rainfall. However, the water stock is merely at 5.20% compared to 17.80% of last year. The same thing applies to the other lakes.

Within a week, the water stock increased from 5% to 12%. However, the rainfall later receded after two days and the current stock is just satisfactory. Last year the water stock was 21% when the lakes filled up to 90% at the end of the season, whereas in 2017 the water stock on July 3, went up to 41%.

Ashok Tawadia, Chief of the Hydraulic Department said, "Currently the water stock is 11%. Although it is not good, we can say it is satisfactory. There are still three months of the monsoon left." He added, "The percolation period, the first 15 days of the monsoon when the rainwater gets percolated into the land, is over. Now the water from the surrounding hills will start recharging the lakes. So even if there will be no rain, the level will increase."

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  • Currently the water stock is 11%
  • Water from the nearby hills is expected to recharge the lakes