Thane to cut water supply for 24 hours every Wednesday from October 28 amid El Nino fears

Citing the likely impact of El Nino and drought-like conditions, the Thane Municipal Corporation has announced a 24-hour water cut every Wednesday in some parts of the city. The decision will come into force on October 28. Supply will remain shut from 9 am on Wednesday to 9 am on Thursday.

The cut will affect areas that receive water through the Thane Municipal Corporation and the STEM Water Distribution and Infrastructure Company. Residents have been asked to store the water they need in advance and use it carefully.

Supply may be disrupted in Ghodbunder Road, Lokmanya Nagar, Vartak Nagar, Saket, Ritu Park, Jail premises, Gandhinagar, Rustomjee, Siddhachal, Indira Nagar, Rupadevi, Srinagar, Samata Nagar, Siddheshwar, Eternity, Johnson premises, and parts of Mumbra and Kalwa.

Thane city needs about 640 million litres of water a day but is getting only about 590 million litres, a daily shortfall of 50 million litres.

Given the situation, Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao has directed that a ward-wise action plan be prepared. Local water sources, the distribution system and areas where supply could be disrupted will be reviewed. Progress on these measures will be reviewed every 15 days until June 30, 2027.

Special teams will be formed in every ward to stop water theft and illegal use. They will trace and disconnect illegal tap connections. Action will also be taken against plumbers who make such connections.

Valve operators will be monitored more closely, and the corporation's water tankers will be tracked by GPS. Control over private tanker-filling centres will also be tightened.

To保 maintain the availability of drinking water, the water the corporation supplies to large infrastructure projects such as the Metro, elevated road, coastal road and ring Metro has been stopped until further orders. The plan is to use treated water from sewage treatment plants for these projects.

The use of drinking water at car-wash centres, construction projects, gardens and other commercial activities has also been banned.

The state government has told local bodies to plan the use of available water carefully. These instructions will remain in force until August 31, 2027. With the 24-hour cut every Wednesday, residents have been asked to store water needed for household use and avoid wastage.