BMC rethinks 20% water cuts after heavy rainfall

MUMBAI: The city might soon get respite from water cuts. After heavy rainfall in catchment areas, the BMC may withdraw the 20% water cuts imposed on the city in

MUMBAI: The city might soon get respite from water cuts. After heavy rainfall in catchment areas, the BMC may withdraw the 20% water cuts imposed on the city in the coming week.

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Officials said the city has met 48% of its water requirement until July 2017 already. Mumbai requires close to 3,750 million litres every day. Since August 29, 2015, however, the BMC has reduced the supply to 3,200 million litres every day.

On Thursday, the total quantity of water in the seven lakes was recorded at 6.6 lakh million litres, close to four lakh million litres more than what was recorded in the same period in 2015. According to current estimates, the city has water for another 177 days. A senior civic official said, “We will take a decision by next week. We might remove water cuts, first in residential areas then commercial sectors.” Starting October 1, the city requires 14.37 lakh million litres of water to avoid cuts until July 31, 2017, officials said. Officials are estimating that by the end of July, the city would have met with more than half of its water requirement for the next year.

Currently, commercials spaces are facing a 50% water cut.

According to data, Bhatsa, which caters to more than 50% of Mumbai’s water requirement, has 3.3 lakh million litres. In 2015, it had only 79 thousand million litres in the same period. Although corporators have been asking for the water cuts to be removed, officials fear the cuts may have to be imposed again if the city faces a dry spell.

Among the seven lakes, Vihar has seen the maximum rainfall till date. The lake has received 1,750mm rainfall since June 1.