After three days of heavy rainfall, the seven lakes that supply water to the city are showing significant signs of recovery. In the last 24 hours, the city has got an additional 34 days of water stock. This means the current stock, which stands at 4.99 lakh million litres, can supply water to the city for around 134 days.
The rise in water levels, however, will not translate into relief from water cuts.
“After a month of water shortage, the lake levels are showing signs of improvement. But we still have not reached the levels where we can revoke the water cut. The levels are still low as compared to last year’s levels,” said a civic official from the hydraulic department, on condition of anonymity.
On the same day last year, water stock available to the city was almost twice the number at 11.48 lakh million litres. The total water stock stands at 34% of the 14.47 lakh million litres needed by the end of September in order to have enough supply till the next monsoon.
Bhatsa Lake, the largest contributor to the city’s water supply, received 247mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. The second-largest contributor, Upper Vaitarna, received 145mm of rainfall.
Tulsi Lake began to overflow on Monday because of heavy rainfall since Sunday morning. Other lakes, however, will take some time to fill up. Bhatsa Lake still has 23m to go before it starts to overflow, while Upper Vaitarna is 5m away. Vihar, Tansa and Modar lakes are 3, 4 and 2m away respectively from the overflow mark.
The civic body has imposed 20% water cut in residential areas and 50% in commercial establishments.
Tulsi Lake began to overflow on Monday because of heavy rainfall since Sunday morning. Other lakes, however, will take some time to fill up. Bhatsa Lake still has 23m to go before it starts to overflow, while Upper Vaitarna is 5m away. Vihar, Tansa and Modar lakes are 3, 4 and 2m away respectively from the overflow mark.
The civic body has imposed 20% water cut in residential areas and 50% in commercial establishments.