Mumbai: Mumbai’s water stock has climbed closer to full capacity after incessant rainfall over the past 24 hours, ensuring a comfortable buffer for the city’s water needs. According to the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the seven lakes supplying water to the metropolis recorded a combined stock of 13.76 lakh million litres (ML) as of 6 am on Wednesday, August 20. This amounts to nearly 95.12 per cent of their total capacity of 14.47 lakh ML.

The civic data shows that between 8.30 am on Tuesday and 6 am on Wednesday, the Bhandup Complex, which houses most of Mumbai’s water treatment facilities, received 246 mm of rainfall, taking its cumulative seasonal tally to 2,235 mm. All seven lakes, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Tulsi, Vihar, Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna and Middle Vaitarna, reported major inflows.

Details On Water Stock In All Lakes

Bhatsa, the largest contributor to Mumbai’s water supply, holds 7.1 lakh ML of stock, which is 99.6 per cent of its capacity. Tulsi and Vihar, two smaller lakes located within city limits, are also brimming, with storage levels at 98.3 and 99.6 per cent, respectively. Tulsi Lake began overflowing on August 16, while Vihar Lake started overflowing on August 18.

Tansa and Modak Sagar have already touched the 100 per cent mark. Tansa began overflowing on July 23, while Modak Sagar started overflowing on August 9. The Middle Vaitarna lake, which had been lagging earlier this month, has also improved significantly and is now at 96.9 per cent of live storage.

Upper Vaitarna, another key lake, is at 91.8 per cent of its storage. Releases from the lake, which were ongoing until early August, were stopped on August 7 after levels stabilised.

This sharp rise in lake levels comes on the back of heavy showers across Mumbai and its catchment areas since the beginning of the week. On Tuesday alone, several suburbs recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall.

The BMC, however, maintained that while the immediate threat of water cuts has been averted, judicious use of water remains essential as the monsoon season progresses.

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday functioned only till 12.30 pm due to incessant rains in the city. The normal working hours for the HC are from 11am to 5pm.

Red Alert Issued by IMD

The notice was issued after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red alert’, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Mumbai and adjoining districts on Tuesday.

Heavy rains battered Mumbai on Tuesday, affecting road and rail traffic and leading to the closure of government offices.

Court Notice on Shortened Hours

The high court, in a notice issued in the morning, said due to heavy rains and bad weather forecast as well as difficulties for advocates and staff members in commuting, all courts will function only till 12.30pm.

“All the officials / staff members are permitted to leave the office by 1pm,” the notice said. A day after rains pounded the city, heavy showers continued on Tuesday as well, severely affecting the city’s normal life.

Lawyers Argue Online, Matters Adjourned

Many lawyers appeared through video conference facility to argue their cases before the high court on Monday and Tuesday. Even as many lawyers were unable to appear either physically or online, the high court did not pass any adverse orders and adjourned the matter for hearing next week.

As the courts were unable to hear all the matters listed for hearing on Tuesday, the courts extended interim reliefs granted, if any, while adjourning the matters.

Mumbai, August 19: Mumbai is reeling under heavy rains for the second consecutive day. Several areas in the city are witnessing waterlogging due to the heavy rains and high tide in the sea. Mumbai Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are on high alert to provide immediate help to the citizens stranded due to the flooding.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on Tuesday addressed the media and released a video on social media in the presence of Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani.

He assured the citizens that all necessary help will be provided as the city faces heavy rainfall. Addressing the media, he said that Mumbai Police and the BMC control rooms are working round the clock to ensure essential services reach people without disruption.

Earlier in the morning, at around 9 AM, the official handle of the Mumbai Police tweeted a safety message for citizens. “Good Morning Mumbai. Hope you are adhering to the safety guidelines in wake of the heavy showers expected today. Please take care, step out only if necessary, prevent going near the shore during high tide and don’t forget, you will find us around the corner for help, in case of any emergency,” the tweet read.

A similar advisory was also posted by the CPMumbai handle, urging people to step out only if absolutely necessary. Citizens were asked to avoid beaches during high tide and assured that police will be available in case of emergencies.

The advisory also appealed to private companies to allow employees to work from home as much as possible to reduce travel during the ongoing weather conditions. Authorities have asked everyone to follow safety guidelines strictly and remain indoors unless it is urgent to step out.

Key Safety Guidelines

Mumbaikars are urged to follow the safety guidelines issued by the authorities and adviced to remain safe during the heavy rains amid waterlogging.

1. Step out only if absolutely necessary.

2. Avoid non-essential travel during heavy rainfall.

3. Stay indoors unless urgent work requires going out.

4. Strictly avoid beaches and shoreline areas during high tide.

5. Maintain distance from water bodies that may be experiencing elevated levels.

6. Private companies urged to facilitate work-from-home arrangements.

7. Employers asked to minimise employee travel requirements during adverse weather.

Emergency Response

Both Mumbai Police and BMC control rooms are functioning round-the-clock to handle emergency situations and coordinate relief efforts.

Police personnel have been strategically positioned across the city to provide immediate assistance to citizens in distress.