Mumbai, July 18: The water stored in Mumbai’s reservoirs and lakes will last its 1.4 crore citizens another 75 days. The recent rain notwithstanding, the levels compare poorly to those at the same time last year, when nearly twice as much had been stored, enough for 140 days.
Hence, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided, cloud seeding is imperative. “The catchment areas have started receiving rain and the situation is improving, with 2.29 lakh million litres stored.
But we are not yet in a comfortable position,” Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak said.
Though the rain has been late and irregular, the July showers have been satisfactory, the BMC said. In June, Colaba received 859 mm rainfall against 1023 mm last year; in July, it has had 1,124 mm so far against 1,165 mm last year.
The BMC has appointed rainmaker Shantilal Meckoni to carry out 20 experiments at a cost of Rs 16 lakh in the catchment areas of lakes Tansa and Modaksagar.
Next month, in an experiment awaiting central clearance, Bangalore-based Agni Aviation will carry out cloud seeding through aircraft and radar at a cost of Rs 8 crore for 60 days.
Till then, the water cuts will continue, 30 per cent for domestic consumers and 60 for bulk consumers. These include swimming pools; Phatak said supply to all pools will be stopped soon.
–Agencies