Mumbai’s water security has received a substantial boost as the city’s seven key reservoirs have reached 93.23 per cent of their total capacity, according to the latest figures released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
This significant development is largely attributed to the ongoing monsoon rains, which have markedly improved the city’s water reserves. The reservoirs, including Tulsi, Tansa, Vihar, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Upper Vaitarna, and Middle Vaitarna, collectively store approximately 13,49,365 million litres of water. Notably, several reservoirs are nearing their full capacity Tansa is at 97.80 per cent, Modak Sagar is nearly full at 98.91 per cent, and Middle Vaitarna stands at 97.14 per cent.
Upper Vaitarna holds 89.10 per cent, Bhatsa is at 91.20 per cent, and Tulsi is at 99.46 per cent. Vihar has reached full capacity, reflecting a significant increase in the city’s water resources. The heavy rainfall has led to several reservoirs overflowing, which has further enhanced the city’s water supply. For instance, Middle Vaitarna Lake began overflowing on July 4, followed by Vihar and Modak Sagar on July 25, and Tansa Lake on July 24. The overflow from Tansa Lake, which began on July 26, 2024, has notably increased Mumbai’s water reserves by an additional 17 days of supply in just a single day.
Tansa Lake, situated in the Shahpur region of Thane, is critical to Mumbai’s water supply, contributing approximately 400 million gallons daily. Tulsi Lake, another vital source directly supplying water to the BMC, also began overflowing on July 20, mirroring its overflow event from the previous year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light rainfall for Mumbai over the next 24 hours, with the city expecting a partly cloudy sky and intermittent light showers. Temperature forecasts predict a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius. Additionally, tidal conditions include a high tide of approximately 3.65 metres at 9:44 am and another high tide of 3.08 metres at 9:19 pm, with a low tide of 2.37 metres expected at 3:49 pm.
Recent rainfall data shows varied precipitation across the city, with 0.71 mm recorded in the island city, 0.39 mm in eastern Mumbai, and 1.46 mm in western Mumbai. As the monsoon season progresses, the city’s water reserves continue to rise, ensuring a stable supply of drinking water for the foreseeable future. This positive trend highlights the effectiveness of the current water management strategies in meeting Mumbai’s needs during the monsoon period.
