Lake levels rise, no water cuts for now

The drinking water supply situation in the city has seen further improvement.

The drinking water supply situation in the city has seen further improvement.

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Following a satisfactory rainfall in the catchment areas of the lakes that supply water to the city, the available water stock meant for the city has increased by 1.5 lakh million litres since July 11.

"It is running well in the catchment areas. Water levels in all our lakes have improved considerably," said Ramesh Bambale, civic hydraulic engineer. He chose not to comment when asked whether the civic body will have to think about imposing water cuts at all.

However, another official from the civic hydraulic department opined that the improved lake levels meant a water cut was unlikely.

The total water stock in all six lakes is 4.23 lakh million litre, which can supply for the next 130 days, more than 4 months.

Current stock is more than the last year's stock. Last year the total stock in lakes was 1.94 lakh million litre at the same time of the year.

Tulsi lake level is just left less than half metre form overflow level. Its overflow level is 139.17 while on Saturday the level reached up to 138.72 metre.

Mumbai receives its daily water supply of 3,400 million litres daily (MLD) from six lakes- Tansa, Modak Sagar, Vihar, Tulsi, Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa.

The demand of the city is 4,200 MLD; there is a short fall of 800.