Indian Express 08.06.2010
Never was water drawn as judiciously as in May, yet lake levels stay low
sharvaripatwa Tags : water shortage, mumbai Posted: Tue Jun 08 2010, 23:31 hrs
Mumbai: In the peak of Mumbai’s summer, through May, the BMC drew less water everyday than during any other month over the last year from the four major lakes supplying to the city, but that has not slowed down the crisis, officials said; lake levels remain “very low”.The BMC lifted 3,684 million litres a day (mld) from the Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa and Bhatsa lakes in May, after 4,107 mld in April, 4,154 mld in March and 3,935 mld in February.
“Of the water lifted from the lakes, about 2,900 mld is for Mumbai and the rest is supplied to Bhiwandi, Thane and to some villages,” said V Deshpande, hydraulic engineer. “This May the water picked up from source was the lowest compared to the last four years,” said a senior civic official.
The total water in the six lakes (Modak Saga, Tansa, Vihar, Tulsi, Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa) was 91,775 million litres as on June 7, 2010, down 60 per cent from the 2,34,203 million litres on the same date last year.
Officials who visited the Tansa and Upper Vaitarna recently said the catchment areas had had showers but only sustained heavy rains for at least a week could cause the levels to rise.
In the past few days, Modak Sagar received 1.80 mm rainfall, Tansa 9.80 mm, Bhatsa 12.80 mm, Vihar 8 mm and Tulsi 2 mm.
“One can now see rocks in the lakes. These were never noticeable earlier under the water,” said an official who had visited the two lakes. “We need to wait and watch for consistent rain.” The meteorological department has predicted the monsoon in Mumbai around June 10.
Citizens continue to reel under a 15 per cent water cut that will continue till at least July 15. The BMC will review the water cut only after July 15 and think of reducing the cut if the rainfall is exceptionally good and the lake levels rise, said an official.
The levels at Upper Vaitarna and Vihar have dipped below the lowest drawable limit and supply from Vihar has been discontinued. BMC officials, however, maintain the city has enough stock to last until July 15.
Dry daze
91,775 million litres
in lakes as on June 7
60% drop
from 2,34,203 mn litres on same date last yr
3,907 mn litres/day
drawn in January (last yr 4,226)
3,935 mld
in Feb (last yr 4,267 mld)
4,154 mld
in March (last yr 4,379 mld)
4,107 mld
in April (last yr 4,533 mld)
3,684 mld
drawn in May (last yr 3.816 mld)
