From May 15, 10% water cut in Mumbai as a precautionary measure

MUMBAI: The BMC is set to implement a 10% water cut in Mumbai from May 15 as a precaution, taking into account the India Meteorological Department’s forecast of below average monsoon due to the El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole conditions. Besides Mumbai, BMC’s water cut will also impact certain areas in Thane and Bhiwandi-Nizampur City municipal corporations.

According to the BMC administration, it decided to impose the water cut as per the directives of the state water resources department, which called for the need to plan supply amid the recent increased heat levels and fast evaporation of water in the seven lakes — Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vehar and Tulsi — that cater to the city’s drinking water needs.

On Monday, the total usable water stock in the seven catchment area lakes stood at 3.4 lakh million litres or 23.5% of the total required quantum of 14.47 lakh million litres. It was 2.9 lakh million litres (20.2%) on the same day last year and 2.1 lakh million litres (14.7%) in 2024.

An additional 1.5 lakh million litres from the reserve stock of Bhatsa Dam and 90,000 million litres from the reserve stock of Upper Vaitarna Dam will be made available to Mumbai, civic officials said..

“Every year, we plan and account for the water stock to last till July 31 as we expect rainfall in the months of June and July. However, this year we have accounted for August 31, as rains may be delayed due to the El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole conditions,” said a BMC official. “If rains are delayed or erratic, we have to ensure that the water stock lasts. The 10% water cut is being implemented as per the directions of the state govt. But despite the precautionary measure, we don’t expect much of an impact, as ours is a coastal region.”

In light of the water cut, BMC urged citizens for judicious use of water, but gave an assurance that there is no cause for panic yet.

Previously, the BMC had imposed a 10% water cut in 2024, 2023 and 2022, 2023, 2024. In 2020, it had imposed a 20% cut in Aug owing to poor rain.

In 2025 and 2021, BMC had not imposed any water cut.