MUMBAI: Starting Monday, Mumbaikars will face a 10% water cut, the BMC announced on Friday. The decision was taken owing to inadequate rainfall over the catchment area lakes this month and existing water stocks in the seven lakes that cater to Mumbai's drinking water needs dipping below 10%.
Civic officials said the rainfall recorded so far this month has been 70% less than the average rainfall recorded last June.
As of Friday, the useful stocks in the seven lakes are nearly 9.8% of the total required stocks of 14.47 lakh million litres, according to BMC data. The civic body supplies 3,750 million litres of water every day to Mumbaikars.
The BMC, in a statement, said: "The existing water stock is much less than that of previous years. If this situation continues, utilization of available water stocks at an early date can affect supply adversely. Therefore, till rainfall improves, a 10% water cut will be imposed from June 27 in Mumbai. This water cut is also applicable to Thane, Bhiwandi and other areas that receive water from the BMC."
Civic officials have requested citizens to cooperate and use water judiciously during this period.
Of the seven lakes, the maximum percentage of water is supplied by Bhatsa (48%). Tulsi and Vihar provide for around 2% of the city's drinking water needs, Upper Vaitarna 16%, Middle Vaitarna 12%, Modak Sagar 11%, and Tansa 10%.
