Pune: The nationwide coronavirus lockdown was put in place in March to contain the pandemic. Despite major industries, hospitality sector, malls and shops remaining closed, there's still more water usage in these three months when compared to 2019.

According to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), people staying at home and utilising water for washing hands, bath, cleaning vegetables and fruits, cleaning the house, washing clothes, utensils and for other hygiene activities has led to the spike in water usage.

The lockdown saw the closure of malls, hotels, cinema, halls, marriage halls, privates offices and others were closed down. At the same time, migrant workers, outstation students, etc. returned to their natives. 

Usually, during the summer season there is always a demand for extra water supply and flow to the Irrigation department of Maharashtra state by the citizens. Such water supply is then given based on the floating population.

But in this current scenario, most of the population had returned to their hometown as well it was needed that PMC should have loaded less water, but it was found that on a daily basis, the civic body lifted 1,379 MLD of water which means, a total of approximately 42,110 MLD (1.5 TMC) water was lifted.

Till November 2019, there were good rains, and most of the dams are having sufficient storage of water, so the scarcity of water did not arise in lockdown. 

"Usually, we appeal citizens to save water, but this pandemic is completely different, and we cannot put a restriction on people for utilising water for such use as our main target is to curb Corona. There's ample water in our dams but still it's an appeal to Punekars to save water wherever possible," said Hemant Rasane, the PMC standing committee chairman.  

He further added, "The main reason that has come ahead of water being used us for frequently used water for washing hands, bathing for two to three times a day, washing clothes immediately after coming home from outside. As well as washing vegetables, milk, packing food and other's."

Water used in Pune