Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a 10 per cent water cut in Mumbai from May 15, citing concerns over a weak monsoon and falling reservoir levels.
The decision was shared by municipal commissioner Ashwini Bhide after a pre-monsoon review meeting held on Tuesday.
“Today, a meeting regarding monsoon preparedness was held. All departments of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and various other agencies in Mumbai participated in this second pre-monsoon readiness session,” Bhide told the media after the meeting.
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According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), India is likely to receive below-normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon,
mainly due to the developing El Nino conditions. Rainfall is expected to be around 92 per cent of the long period average, which falls in the below-normal range.
Bhide said the total water stock in the seven lakes supplying Mumbai currently stands at 28.35 per cent, and may last only until early July. To extend supply, the civic body plans to reserve water from Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna reservoirs, subject to state government approval.
If permission is granted and the water cut is enforced, the available stock could last until mid-August, offering some relief until the monsoon stabilises.
The commissioner noted that the decision followed detailed discussions during the city’s second pre-monsoon preparedness meeting, which involved multiple civic departments and agencies.
(With inputs from PTI)
