Good news, Mumbai: First lake overflows

With last month seeing the lowest rainfall in July in a decade, Mumbaiites have been praying for the monsoon to gain ground and save them from a year of water scarcity.

With last month seeing the lowest rainfall in July in a decade, Mumbaiites have been praying for the monsoon to gain ground and save them from a year of water scarcity.

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On Wednesday, citizens had reason to rejoice as Modak Sagar lake, which supplies 465 million litres of water to Mumbai every day, started overflowing.

The lake, located in Thane district, supplies 13% of the water received by the city.

The lake was close to its overflow mark at 6am on Wednesday, with a shortfall of only 0.04 metres, which was filled up during the day.

As the catchment areas of lakes supplying water to Mumbai receive steady rainfall, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the available water stock for the city has increased and will currently suffice for close to eight months.

"There has been a steady rise in lake levels for the past 20 days. From a stock of 78,000 million litres in mid-July to 7.1 lakh litres on August 8, it has been a tremendous leap. As of now, the water stock will last for 236 days, that is, till March 2013," said Manisha Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner.

The BMC has decided to continue with the 10% water cut in Mumbai till August 15, when a decision to withdraw or extend it will be taken after reviewing the situation.

After a poor start to the monsoon, the BMC had started water cuts on July 1.

The civic administration, however, has made a concession for festivals. There will be no water cut on Janmashtami (August 10) as well as Ramzan Eid.

At the same time, it has appealed to residents to use water judiciously, especially during festivals.

All this is a clear indication that the water situation is not as bleak as it was in 2009, when leaders from all political parties called for citizens to tone down celebrations in order to avoid large-scale use of water.

The BMC has put its contingency plan of repairing borewells and cleaning ring wells - announced in July - on hold.

"A survey has been conducted of all such wells at the ward level. But the decision to appoint contractors, to install pumps and repair them will be taken only in October if the shortfall persists," said Mhaiskar.

The civic corporation had also requisitioned the suburban and city collectors to acquire private wells across Mumbai.

"If it is necessary, private wells will be acquired by the BMC for public use in areas that face acute water shortage," Mhaiskar said.