The dam supplying water to rural areas, including parts of Mumbai and Thane districts in Maharashtra, currently has water storage levels similar to those in the last summer. However, the Water Resources Department has directed authorities to plan usage so that available reserves last until August 31. As a result, water cuts are now considered.
The decision was finalised in a meeting of the Irrigation Department on Wednesday (April 22). The Thane Minor Irrigation Department has instructed all authorities to implement a one-day weekly (24-hour) water cut starting May 1.
The Barvi Dam, located in the Badlapur area, supplies water to the Thane district and nearby rural regions. Since it cannot meet demand on its own, water from the Andhra Dam is released into the Barvi River after being utilised for the Bhivpuri Power Project. This combined supply helps meet the district’s needs.
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At present, Barvi Dam has 44.53% water storage, while Andhra Dam has 45.94%. Although storage is slightly higher than last year, the India Meteorological Department has indicated a possible delay in the monsoon due to El Niño. Therefore, authorities have been asked to ensure that water reserves last until August 31, instead of July 31 as in previous years. Officials say the available water is insufficient, leaving no option but to impose cuts.
The Minor Irrigation Department has been reviewing water availability and demand over the past three days. While the documented daily requirement is 1,200 MLD, actual consumption is higher, with around 1,400 to 1,500 MLD being drawn daily from the Ulhas River. This demand is met through 1,020 MLD released from Andhra Dam and 550 to 600 MLD from Barvi Dam.
Considering that about 15% of dam storage is lost to silt, officials said water reduction was unavoidable. Representatives from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, the STEM Authority, the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, and the Minor Irrigation Department attended Wednesday’s meeting, where a 7 per cent reduction in water supply was approved.
Officials added that if rainfall begins in late May or June, the situation may improve and residents could get relief from the cuts.