Water content in seven reservoirs reach 97 per cent

Mumbai: Although Mumbai has not received rainfall in the past few days, the rainfall in catchment areas has led to rise in water stock. The total water content in all seven reservoirs has reached up to 96 per cent, which is two per cent more than last year.

The Bhatsa reservoir, which contributes to nearly 50 per cent of the total water supplied to Mumbai, is filled up to 97 per cent. Following Bhatsa, the Upper Vaitarna has also recorded around 91 per cent water content.

The civic body is expecting all seven reservoirs to have 98 to 99 per cent water by October 1 which will ensure uninterrupted water supply next year.

Mumbai needs 3,800 million litres of water daily; thus it is required that the catchment areas should continue receiving sufficient rainfall in September to have all dams filled. Maximum numbers of the dams are located in Shahapur in Thane district.

“The total water stock in all seven reservoirs is around 96 per cent at present and we expect favourable rainfall conditions in catchments areas to have all dams filled by September end. Although, Bhatsa provides the highest — 50 per cent water to Mumbai — overflowing of all seven dams is equally important,” said hydraulic engineer Ashok Tawadia.

According to reports, the total water content in all seven reservoirs as on August 27 was 13,94,906 million litres (ml) that is 96.38 per cent of the total capacity. The water content in Bhatsa is 6,93,991 ml (96.79 per cent), Upper Vaitarna is 2,07,047 ml (91.5 per cent), Middle Vaitarna is 1,90,797 ml (98.59 per cent), Modak Sagar is 1,23,080 ml (95.45 per cent), Tansa is 1,43,534 ml (98.93 per cent), Vihar is 27,698 ml (100 per cent) and Tulsi is 8,046 ml (100 per cent).

Last year by October 1, the total water content had considerably dipped due to which from November 2018 the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had to apply 10 per cent water cut.