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Mumbai's water crisis has intensified with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announcing stricter restrictions on commercial and non-essential
water use after reservoir levels dropped sharply amid delayed monsoon rains and relentless summer heat. According to the BMC's Hydraulic Department, prolonged high temperatures have accelerated evaporation, wiping out nearly 20 days' worth of water reserves. The situation has worsened as the monsoon is yet to reach the catchment areas of Mumbai's seven lakes, which normally begin receiving rainfall in early June.
Reservoir Stocks Fall to Just 10 Per cent
The city's total water stock has fallen to 1.49 lakh million litres, or just 10.35 per cent of the combined storage capacity of its reservoirs.When the BMC imposed a 10 per cent water cut on May 15, officials estimated that available reserves would last around 75 days. A month later, that buffer has shrunk dramatically, with current stocks expected to last only 32 more days.
Mumbai requires around 4,664 million litres of water daily, while the civic body's supply capacity stands at about 4,100 million litres for Mumbai, Thane and parts of Bhiwandi.
BMC Announces New Restrictions
To conserve the remaining reserves, the BMC has announced fresh restrictions targeting commercial and non-essential consumption.Water connections to active construction sites will be temporarily disconnected, while no new construction-related water connections will be approved until further notice.
Swimming pools will not receive municipal water supply, and industries, commercial establishments and sports clubs will face a 20 per cent reduction in water supply.
The civic body has also suspended approvals for additional or enhanced water connections.
The BMC clarified that residential consumers will not face any new restrictions for now. The existing 10 per cent water cut imposed in May will continue.
Citizens have been urged to use borewell, tanker and well water for non-drinking purposes such as vehicle washing, gardening and cleaning. Major institutions, including railways, oil companies, the Indian Navy, MIDC and Mumbai Port Authority, have been advised to use treated wastewater for industrial and operational requirements.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the onset of monsoon over Mumbai's reservoir catchment areas only in the final week of June, raising concerns about the city's water security if rains are delayed further.
