3 more lakes to overflow

Mumbai: After the heavy downpour last week, water level in seven lakes that provide water to Mumbai has risen significantly. The three lakes — Tulsi, Tansa and Modak Sagar — have already breached the 100 per cent mark, while the rest – Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa and Vihar — are also expected to overflow next month. Only Upper Vaitarna has recorded poor level of water stock — 24.85 per cent of the total capacity.

As of Monday morning, the water stock in Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa and Vihar stood at 97.68 per cent, 80.65 percent, and 91.20 percent respectively. While Tulsi breached the 100 per cent mark on July 12, Tansa started to overflow on July 15. Modak Sagar started to overflow last Friday.

“Good rainfall in the catchments areas has increased the water stock. We also expect good rainfall in the coming days, which will fill up the other three lakes. Only Upper Vaitarna’s water stock has been low. We expect all lakes to overflow by October 1,” said Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) hydraulic engineer, Ashok Tawadia.

The total percentage of water content across all seven lakes stood at 78.08 per cent on Monday. Although the percentage of water content has risen due to the heavy rainfall last week, the water stock is still 5 per cent lower compared to the same period last year.

On July 29 last year, the total percentage of water stock in seven lakes stood at 83.46 per cent.

Considering the rising level of water in the lakes, the city’s civic body had rolled back the 10 per cent water cut on July 19.

The water cut had come into effect in November 2018 after less than required water stock across the lakes due to less rainfall.