Mumbais Water Security Boosted as Lake Levels Near 74% After Consistent Monsoon Showers
Mumbai’s water reserves have seen a significant improvement, with lake storage levels reaching 73.88% of the city’s total useful capacity as of 6:00 AM on Friday. According to the latest update from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Hydraulic Engineer’s Department at Bhandup Complex, the city’s seven lakes currently hold 10.69 lakh million litres of usable water.
This marks a major turnaround from earlier monsoon anxieties, as consistent rainfall across the catchment areas has rapidly replenished water bodies crucial to the city’s daily supply. Notably, Modak Sagar has reached full capacity with 1.28 lakh million litres, and Middle Vaitarna is close behind at 92.87%, storing 1.79 lakh million litres. Tansa has also seen a major increase and is now at 79.13% capacity. Upper Vaitarna stands at 74.02%, while Bhatsa—Mumbai’s largest supplier—is at 64.21%, contributing a massive 4.60 lakh million litres. Though smaller in size, Tulsi and Vehar have reached 49.79% and 48.36% capacity, respectively.
Compared to the same period last year, when lake storage was just 22.26% (around 3.22 lakh million litres), the current figures reflect a sharp rise, giving both authorities and citizens reason to breathe easy for the season ahead. Rainfall has remained steady across key zones. Bhatsa has received 1,308 mm of rain, Modak Sagar 1,149 mm, Middle Vaitarna 1,590 mm, and Tansa 1,326 mm. Tulsi and Upper Vaitarna have recorded 1,189 mm and 1,014 mm, respectively. The Bhandup Complex, which oversees water operations, recorded 3 mm in the last 24 hours and 697 mm so far this season.
Recent operational activity also indicates that reservoirs are performing as expected. Upper Vaitarna began water release operations on July 5, while gates at Middle Vaitarna were opened on July 7. Modak Sagar overflowed on July 9—a positive seasonal indicator for overall reservoir health. With high rainfall and rising inflow across major lakes, Mumbai appears well-positioned to maintain an uninterrupted water supply in the coming months.
