Mumbai - water rationing

BBC News reports that the authorities in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) have reduced water supplies by 30% as it faces one of the worst shortages in its history. The drought in Mumbai is in contrast to other areas of the country. In the north-eastern state of Assam, about half a million people have been stranded as rivers burst their banks due to flooding.  The fear now for Mumbai residents is that they may soon have to buy water from private water suppliers as the five main lakes which supply the city now have levels between four to 10 metres lower than at this time last year.