The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a stark warning as water levels in the city’s reservoirs have plummeted below 50%. With the water scarcity reaching critical levels, the BMC has signaled the possibility of implementing a water cut by the end of this month.

According to reports from BMC’s hydraulic engineering department, the city’s reservoirs are currently holding approximately 7.1 lakh million litres of water, accounting for only 49.37% of their total capacity. This marks the lowest water stock level in the past three years and poses significant challenges for the city’s water supply infrastructure.

In response to the dire situation, BMC officials have requested additional reserve water stock from the Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna reservoirs. The department has put forth a proposal for an extra 1.37 lakh million litres from Bhatsa and 93,500 million litres from Upper Vaitarna to bolster the dwindling water reserves.

P Malwade, a civic hydraulic engineer, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that unless the irrigation department approves the request for additional water stock, a 10% water cut may be inevitable by the end of February. Malwade highlighted the need for swift action, recalling a similar delay in approval from the previous year which exacerbated the crisis.

P Velrasu, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), shed light on the factors contributing to the water shortage, citing low rainfall during the monsoon season as a primary cause. He noted that the city experienced a delayed onset of monsoon followed by an early withdrawal, disrupting the replenishment of water reservoirs.

Meanwhile, neighboring areas like Navi Mumbai have already felt the impact of water scarcity, with recent maintenance and repair work causing a 12-hour water cut for residents. The maintenance activities, conducted by the CIDCO, affected water supply in several nodes and villages, further highlighting the region’s vulnerability to water shortages.