The city finally received continuous rainfall on Saturday giving residents a wet weekend. However, the incessant rainfall has not given any reason to cheer as water crisis prevails owing to no rainfall in the catchment areas of the six lakes which supply water to the city. Currently, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has imposed a 20% water cut in the city. With water storage available for another 15 days, further decision on the cuts is expected on Monday.

The city recorded a rainfall of 64.37 mm in Colaba, 49.57 mm in the eastern suburbs and 43.3 mm in the western suburbs.

“There has been good rainfall in the city. Mumbai and its neighbouring areas of Thane and Palghar have been covered with rain,” said Deputy Director R V Sharma, IMD, Mumbai. He said that the heavy rainfall belt, which was earlier in Goa and Konkan, has now moved to Mumbai, Thane and Raigad. Regular showers will contniue till Monday evening. “There is a possibility that the rainfall will increase on Sunday,” he said.

However, civic officials said there was no rainfall in the Thane and Shahapur districts where Modak Sagar, Tansa, Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa lakes are located. As per the BMC report, there were no showers near these lake areas till 3.00 pm. “It rained only in Vihar and Tulsi lakes in Mumbai. Only 0.02 metre rise is recorded in Vihar lake. However, there is a need for heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of other four lakes for the water level to rise and make a difference in water storage,” said Hydraullic Engineer S Korlekar.

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