BMC mulling another 10% water cut for Mumbai

As water levels run low, and the weather bureau’s forecast of the monsoon withdrawing earlier than usual, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is mulling another 10% cut in supply of water to the city, in addition to the existing 20% cut already in effect.

As water levels run low, and the weather bureau’s forecast of the monsoon withdrawing earlier than usual, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is mulling another 10% cut in supply of water to the city, in addition to the existing 20% cut already in effect.

Currently, the city’s water stock (9.91 lakh million liters) will last another 265 days. However, this is 30% lower than what the city needs till the next monsoon.

The water crisis has been mainly caused by poor rainfall in the catchment areas of the seven lakes that supply water to the city.

The civic body announced the 20% water cut for households and 50% for commercial establishments last week.

The water situation is usually reviewed on October 1, but this time around, as there are no signs of the monsoon reviving, the civic body is likely to advance the decision by a month. The water cut is likely to be in effect for the rest of the year.

“The forecast is not favorable. If there is no rainfall for another 15 days, we will decide on imposing the 10% cut even before October, as conserving water is our biggest priority now, and the only way out,” said a civic official, not wishing to be named.