Mumbai: Scanty rain, but lakes filling up, says BMC

An overflowing Powai lake. Pic/Shadab Khan

Despite it being a dry month, the stock in lakes supplying water to Mumbai increased at least by 9 per cent during the past three weeks. BMC officials attribute it to percolation and intermittent rain in catchment areas.

The lakes had 74 per cent water stock on July 31, and on August 20, the stock increased to 83.50 per cent. "It is due to the percolation effect as well as due to scanty rain of 10 to 15 mm intermittently in the lakes," said Purushottam Malavade, chief of hydraulic engineering department of the BMC. Percolation means water runs downwards through the tiny gaps between rocks and soil particles, subsequently saturating the underlying rock. This helps to replenish water bodies.

The BMC had imposed a 10 per cent water cut from July 1, when the lake stock was down below seven per cent. Thanks to heavy spells in July, the water stock increased to 74 per cent on July 31. But the BMC didn't withdraw the water cut, citing the forecast of poor rain in August which ultimately proved right till now. This month, the city and outskirts where lakes are situated received scanty rainfall. Meanwhile, the BMC withdrew water cuts on August 8 after repetitive demands from citizens.

All the lakes have the combined capacity to store 14.47 lakh million litres of water. The combined stock is now 12.08 lakh million litres. Last year, the stock was 13.88 lakh ML which is 96 per cent. If all the lakes remain full at the end of the monsoon, September 30, the city will have an uninterrupted water supply till next June.