BMC Experiment Under cloud Experts say civic body must shun impractical methods like cloud seeding and embrace simpler means such as rainwater harvesting to tackle water crisis

BMC Experiment Under cloud

Experts say civic body must shun impractical methods like cloud seeding and embrace simpler means such as rainwater harvesting to tackle water crisis

Even before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) carries out its magic bullet experiment ‘cloud seeding’, experts and activists are pondering over what action the civic body will take to tackle the water crisis if the attempt fails. Expressing their dismay over the civic body’s move to carry out the costly cloud seeding, civic activists have suggested that the BMC must look beyond the impractical experiments and embrace simpler means to tackle city’s water woes. Pointing out that only half of the 6,800 residential projects have installed rainwater harvesting system, water activist Janak Daftari, who was a consultant with the BMC’s rainwater harvesting cell, said, “Given the amount of rain Mumbai receives, rainwater harvesting system be embraced. A two-meter rainfall can ensure availability of 200 tankers (each of them having capacity of 10,000 litres) water (for non-potable purpose). Why don’t all the buildings have the system installed? BMC needs to carry an audit.” Experts also feel that use of waste water will be a great help. According to a former BMC chief engineer (hydraulic engineering department), Mumbaikars spend around 65% of water supplied for non-potable activities. “Hence, recycling water is a must. Housing societies, which can afford a small STP project, should go ahead with it,” he said. Apart from short-run measures, civic activists like James John, a member of NGO AGNI, said it is high time the BMC wakes to up to the alarming call and encourage afforestation. “The entire thought process has gone wrong with the cloud seeding experiment. It is like toying with nature. Let the nature play its part,” he added. Some officials from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) substantiate the same hinting the scheduling of BMC’s experiment has been wrong. “July and August are better months for carrying out cloud seeding than June and September,” said JR Kulkarni, programme manger, cloud aerosol intervention and precipitation enhancement experiment, IITM. Municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte had last week said, “If the cloud seeding experiment fails, we will have to look at other options like using water from wells and continuing with water cuts.” The civic body has been executing 10% water cut in the city since July 1 following scanty rains in catchment areas. The BMC supplies 3,450 MLD water as against actual demand of 4,500 MLD. If the rainfall continues to be subnormal and the cloud seeding experiment fails to produce the desired results, content available across 1,572 wells, with nearly 50% of them owned by the civic body, will drastically fall short of city’s water requirement. A BMC official said, “The number of wells can make available only 2-3 MLD of water. So that is not going to be a big help. Besides, nearly 50% of wells in Mumbai are owned by private parties. So, these needs to be acquired through district collectors first to see that water is available for non-potable use for public. The administrative process may eat a month’s time.”