Mumbai's water supply has drastically reduced as the city has seen a rise in temperatures for nearly three weeks. Reports citing data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) indicate that as of March 9, the water level in the seven lakes that provide water to the city was 45.08 percent, a six-percentage-point drop in the last 15 days. On February 24, 51% of the water stock was present.
This week, a decision regarding water cuts will be made, according to civic authorities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that Mumbai is under a heatwave warning from March 9 to 11. This comes after the city has been experiencing a heat wave since February 25.
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BMC authorities have attributed the dramatic cutback in water delivery to the soaring temperatures. If the current trend continues, water levels may decline more quickly than anticipated. Even though an immediate water cut is unlikely, BMC officials have warned that restrictions may be put in place in the coming months because the monsoon is still three to four months away.
Every percentage point of water stock is equal to two to three days' worth of demand, BMC officials said. With the existing stock, the city could last for roughly four months. Around the same time last year, Mumbai's water stock was at 39.73 percent; in 2023, it was at 45.23 percent.
In 2023, authorities noted that extreme daytime temperatures caused water shortages in May. Although the monsoon typically occurs between June 10 and June 15, rainfall typically occurs later in the lakes' catchment areas. This delay could put additional strain on water supplies.