Mumbai witnessed a brief respite from relentless monsoon rains on Thursday, with pockets of sunlight breaking through the clouds after nearly a week of continuous downpours. The city’s seven primary water-supply lakes have now reached near full capacity, signalling a critical milestone in urban water management and sustainability for the financial capital.
According to official data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recorded at 6 a.m., water reserves in these lakes currently stand at 95.17 percent of total capacity. This surpasses levels recorded on the same date in previous years—94.49 percent in 2024 and 83.72 percent in 2023—indicating the substantial replenishment achieved during this monsoon cycle. Experts emphasise that such high water levels are crucial for ensuring uninterrupted supply throughout the dry season while reinforcing urban resilience against potential water scarcity. Despite the reprieve, the city continues to deal with the after-effects of heavy rainfall. Local train services experienced significant disruption due to waterlogging in key suburban areas. The Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Western Railway confirmed that several MEMU services, including Diva–Boisar and Vasai Road–Diva routes, were cancelled on Thursday. Authorities continue to monitor tracks and drainage systems to prevent further disruption, reflecting ongoing challenges in urban infrastructure management during extreme weather events.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Thursday in several parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Satara, Thane, and Nashik, signalling light to moderate rainfall. Meanwhile, other districts such as Washim, Parbhani, and Chandrapur were not under any alert. IMD forecasts suggest light showers for most districts in Marathwada, moderate rain across South Madhya Maharashtra, and persistent precipitation over Konkan. The city’s temperature is expected to hover between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius, offering a temporary cooling effect after days of relentless downpours. Heavy rains have also resulted in isolated emergencies in surrounding districts, highlighting the ongoing human and infrastructural vulnerabilities caused by intense monsoon patterns. Incidents such as overflowing nullahs and riverine flooding in suburban areas underscore the need for sustainable urban water management and proactive disaster preparedness.
While flights resumed normal operations on Thursday, following disruptions earlier in the week, city authorities remain vigilant. The near-full capacity of the water-supply lakes marks a positive development, offering a crucial buffer against future shortages and signalling progress towards building a more resilient and sustainable urban ecosystem.
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