NI Bureau
Mumbai’s iconic Powai Lake began overflowing on Monday following two days of heavy rainfall starting from Saturday, according to a civic official.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has released a video showcasing the overflow.
Watch the Video Here
Powai Lake, an artificial reservoir situated in the Powai valley, has a storage capacity of 545 crore litres. The overflow commenced at 4:45 PM, the official reported. When at full capacity, the lake covers a water area of approximately 2.23 square kilometers with a catchment area of 6.61 square kilometers.
Despite its size, the water in Powai Lake is non-potable and is designated solely for industrial use.
Constructed in 1890, Powai Lake is located about 27 kilometers from the BMC headquarters and downstream of Vihar Lake on the Mithi River. Originally, the lake spanned about 2.1 square kilometers with depths ranging from 3 meters (9.8 ft) at the periphery to 12 meters (39 ft) at its deepest point.
Over the years, Powai Lake has experienced significant water quality degradation. Once a source of drinking water for Mumbai, it has since been declared unfit for consumption, although it remains a popular tourist attraction.
To meet the city’s drinking water needs, seven reservoirs—Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, Tansa, Modak Sagar, Vihar, and Tulsi—collectively supply 385 crore litres of potable water.
The heavy rainfall in Mumbai has caused severe waterlogging, submerging several roads and low-lying areas, disrupting traffic flow and daily activities. Residents are facing significant challenges in commuting due to disruptions in train services and flight operations.
