Tulsi lake crosses overflow mark earlier than '17, say civic officials

Mumbai: The Tulsi has crossed the overflow mark more than a month earlier than last year, thus becoming the first lake to overflow this monsoon.

According to civic hydraulic department officials, the Tulsi started overflowing from 7.30 am on Monday. Last year, the lake managed to reach the full supply level only on August 14. The overflow mark of the Tulsi is 139.17 metres.

The Tulsi originates from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali. It supplies 18 million litres (ml) of water daily to Aarey Colony and some parts of Powai.

According to civic officials, the feat of first overflow is normally achieved by the Modak Sagar due to heavy rainfall in the Thane district, where it is situated. However, the city has received equally good rainfall this year.

Followed by Tulsi, the Vihar lake is also on the verge of overflow. It has already reached the mark of 78.01 metres against its overflow mark of 80.12 metres. In last 24 hours, Vihar and Tulsi received 218 mm and 134 mm of rainfall respectively.

As per the civic data, the total water stock in seven lakes — Modak Sagar, Tansa, Vihar, Tulsi, Upper Vaitarana, Bhatsa and Middle Vaitarana — supplying water to the city has reached 5.50 lakh litres (ml). However, it is lower than the last year’s stock of 6.76 lakh litres. “It augurs well for city’s water supply. We are hoping that the lakes receive good rainfall in next few days,” said a senior official.