Reporter: Only five per cent water is left in the seven lakes that provide water to the city. The lake areas have not received much rainfall thus far, leading to a drop in water levels from 6.3 per cent, which was recorded last Tuesday. According to the hydraulic department, the main water level has dropped to 5 per cent. So, for supply to the city, water is being drawn from the Bhatsa reserve. A Hydraulic department official, on condition of anony-mity, said, “We have taken 1 lakh million litres (ML) of water from Bhatsa lake to provide water to the city in the last two days. This water will be sufficient till July-end.
Prior to this, 70,000 ML was brought to the city from the Upper Vaitarna reserve.”In a related development, the Indian Meteorological Department has declared that monsoon may hit the city on the evening of June 26, but there is no sign yet of rain in the city.Meanwhile, Mumbaikars' wait for ‘Monsoon’ seems to be getting longer with only light showers being witnessed on Wednesday morning in areas like Andheri and Santacruz. WIDESPREAD RAIN FOR 4 DAYS FORECAST According to Meteorological department, the monsoon will gain strength and widespread rainfall is expected in Goa and Konkan,including Mumbai, for four days until June 29.
"We are observing the cloud pattern, so that we can predict the possible downpour. The forecast for the next four days, till June 29, is of widespread rainfall in Goa and Konkan, including Mumbai," the official said. The Madhya Maharashtra region would receive some showers while other areas may have some dry days ahead, he said. Marathwada and Vidarbha regions share a similar forecast of scattered showers till June 29. As per the state government, more than 6,000 tankers are supplying drinking water in various villages and hamlets.
