Mumbai rain: In 24 hours, lake levels rise by 4% after overnight downpour

MUMBAI: Owing to the overnight downpour, the total water stock in all seven lakes that cater to the city recorded a 4% rise in the past 24 hours. According to BMC data, the water stock in the lakes stood at 2.7 lakh million litres or 18.7% of the combined required quantum of 14.47 lakh million litres on Monday morning, as against Sunday's 2.1 lakh million litres or 14.5%.
The lake levels, however, are still low as compared to the same period last year. On July 8, 2023, the total water stock was 3.1 lakh million litres or 21.6%.
Unlike Sunday, when Bhatsa, located in Shahapur taluka in Thane district, received 237mm of rain, the lake received only 14mm on Monday. Around 50% of Mumbai's daily water supply comes from Bhatsa lake.
Tulsi and Vihar, the two lakes situated in Mumbai limits, received 254mm and Vihar 364mm rain, respectively, on Monday.
Meanwhile, Powai lake, which supplies non-potable water to the city for industrial use, started overflowing at 4.45am on Monday.
Till last week, the total water stock was around 5% and BMC was dipping into the lakes' reserve stock. State govt had permitted the municipal body to use nearly 1.4 lakh MLD from Bhatsa and 91,130 MLD of water from Upper Vaitarna.
While BMC has stopped drawing water from the reserve stock and is again supplying water from the lakes, however, the 10% water cut will remain for now, said civic officials.
For Mumbai to go without water cuts for the entire year, the seven lakes need to fill up to 14.47 lakh million litres by Sept 30. This means around 304 days of water.