Mumbai Ends 10% Water Cut Amid Overflow

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that it will rescind the 10% water cut currently imposed on the city’s water supply, effective Monday, 29 July 2024. This decision comes in response to a significant increase in water levels at the reservoirs serving the metropolitan area, attributed to the recent heavy rainfall.

The water cut, implemented last month as a precautionary measure to manage dwindling water reserves, will now be lifted not only for Mumbai but also for Thane City, Bhiwandi, and the Outlying City Division Grampanchayats, all of which receive water from the BMC. The BMC’s announcement highlights a notable improvement in the water storage situation. The reservoirs, which are critical for supplying Mumbai with potable water, have seen substantial inflows due to the ongoing monsoon.

As of early Thursday morning, the combined water stock in these reservoirs had reached 66.77%. Specifically, four key reservoirs—Vihar, Tulsi, Tansa, and Modaksagar—are currently overflowing, a clear indicator of the surging water levels. In a statement issued on X, the BMC detailed that the seven reservoirs servicing the city, which include Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, Tansa, Modak Sagar, Vihar, and Tulsi, collectively supply 385 crore litres of water daily. The significant rainfall has resulted in these reservoirs being at near capacity, prompting the civic body to review and subsequently lift the water cut.

Despite the positive development regarding water supply, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai due to the ongoing heavy downpour. This alert remains in effect until 8:30 am tomorrow, underscoring the potential for severe weather conditions. The BMC has advised residents to limit outdoor activities unless absolutely necessary, in light of the severe weather warnings.