State approves reserve water release from Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna lakes
The State Irrigation Department has approved the release of 2.33 lakh Million Litres (ML) of reserve water from the Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna reservoirs in Thane and Nashik districts to tackle a severe water crisis. The decision comes as total water stock in the lakes supplying the region has plummeted to just 7.08 percent of their total capacity due to a lack of rainfall in key catchment areas.
The ongoing water shortage has already triggered a 10 percent water cut in Mumbai since May 15. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has warned that it may increase the water cut by another 10 percent in the coming days if reservoir levels continue to slide.
Recent heavy rainfall on June 23 and June 24 in Mumbai led to marginal rises in the city's Tulsi and Vihar lakes. However, the major dams located in Thane district have received little to no rainfall in their catchment areas.
According to civic data as of June 28, Bhatsa, which is the largest dam supplying the region, has dropped to just 5.85 percent of its useful capacity, holding 41,926 ML of water. Modak Sagar stands at 18.50 percent with 23,853 ML, while Middle Vaitarna is at 11.36 percent with 21,977 ML.
Other reservoirs are facing even more critical shortages. Tansa has depleted to a mere 0.41 percent of its useful storage, holding just 589 ML. Upper Vaitarna has hit zero useful content, prompting the BMC to begin drawing from its approved reserve stock.
A senior civic official confirmed that the BMC has started drawing water from the Upper Vaitarna reserve stock. While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a yellow alert for the next four days, the civic body is prepared to introduce higher water cuts or additional restrictions on commercial establishments depending on the rainfall.
To conserve water, the BMC has already taken strict measures since June 16. The civic body temporarily disconnected water supply to ongoing construction sites and swimming pools, and suspended all new construction-related water connections. Additionally, a 20 percent water cut has been imposed on industrial, commercial, and sports club establishments. The civic body has warned of strict action against anyone found wasting or misusing potable water.
