Mumbai Gets Water Boost As Seven Lakes Fill Up To 72%
Mumbai’s water supply saw a major monsoon milestone as cumulative lake levels surged past 72%, offering relief to residents amid humid conditions. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city’s seven key lakes now hold over 10.5 lakh million litres of useful water. Modak Sagar, one of Mumbai’s primary reservoirs, began overflowing on Tuesday, prompting a controlled release to manage inflows and ensure downstream safety as consistent rainfall continues across the region.
Modak Sagar Lake, which plays a pivotal role in Mumbai’s water supply, reached 99.99% of its full storage capacity—12,892.5 million litres—early Tuesday morning. In response, authorities opened one gate of the lake by one foot, releasing water at a controlled rate of 1,022 cusecs per second. This overflow marks a significant development in the city’s monsoon preparedness, especially as consistent showers have boosted water levels across other reservoirs too. The city’s total water stock stood at 1,050,912 million litres, or 72.61% of the seasonal requirement. Upper Vaitarna contributed 166,150 million litres while Bhatsa, the largest reservoir, accounted for over 4.45 lakh million litres. Tansa and Tulsi also saw impressive gains, reaching 77.66% and 62.61% respectively. Smaller reservoirs like Vihar and Middle Vaitarna showed healthy trends despite minor fluctuations. Authorities are now closely monitoring all reservoirs to manage overflow risks and maintain supply stability for Mumbai’s population.
With water reserves rising, the civic body is expected to reassess current water cut policies, potentially restoring full supply if monsoon consistency continues. The city’s rainfall has contributed to the uptick, with Vihar receiving the highest 24-hour rainfall at 196 mm. Bhatsa and Modak Sagar recorded 67 mm and 40 mm respectively, pushing lake levels toward safe thresholds. Despite these gains, IMD data revealed below-normal cumulative rainfall—111.3 mm short in Colaba and 158.5 mm short in Santacruz. Relative humidity levels ranged between 83% and 92%, keeping Mumbai uncomfortably humid. The weather forecast remains consistent with moderate to heavy showers expected over the next 48 hours. With high tides peaking at over 4 metres and the monsoon cloud cover intact, lake levels are projected to rise further. Experts advise ongoing surveillance of discharge operations to prevent urban flooding and maintain reservoir safety as rainfall patterns continue.
As Modak Sagar begins to overflow and other lakes rise steadily, Mumbai is inching closer to its seasonal water security target. The monsoon has revived hopes for a stable water supply after early-season deficits, although rainfall remains uneven across the city. Authorities are now tasked with balancing overflow management and civic readiness while reviewing water rationing policies. With humidity high and showers forecast to persist, the upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Mumbai can meet its full reservoir potential before the monsoon recedes. Continued rainfall could soon bring full-capacity comfort, but proactive monitoring remains essential.
