The water levels in lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai have risen following heavy rainfall in their catchment areas. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, the combined stock in the seven reservoirs that provide water to the city now stands at 98.70 per cent.
As per the BMC on Sunday (September 14), the collective water stock in these reservoirs is 14,28,162 million litres, which amounts to 98.70 per cent of their total capacity.
The BMC supplies drinking water daily from Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vehar, and Tulsi lakes.
Several lakes recorded substantial rainfall in the past 24 hours, with Vehar receiving the highest at 61.00 mm. The lake is now at 100 per cent capacity and has started overflowing, as it did last month on August 18. Tulsi Lake, also at 100 per cent capacity, recorded 44.00 mm of rainfall in the same period. Its seasonal cumulative rainfall has now reached 3,870.00 mm, the highest among all city reservoirs.
Modak Sagar and Tansa also showed significant rainfall activity, recording 50.00 mm and 43.00 mm, respectively. Both lakes saw a water level rise of 0.07 metres in the past 24 hours. Modak Sagar currently holds 98.61 per cent of its useful storage capacity, while Tansa is at 99.08 per cent. Modak Sagar began overflowing on July 9, and Tansa followed on July 23.
Upper Vaitarna, a major reservoir, reported 12.00 mm of rainfall with a slight rise of 0.03 metres in water level. It now holds 224,154 ML of water, or 98.73 per cent of its full capacity. Middle Vaitarna saw a modest increase of 0.08 metres and recorded 10.50 mm of rainfall. It currently holds 98.52 per cent of its usable volume. Combined, the useful content of Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, and Middle Vaitarna stands at 6.86 lakh ML, which is 98.84 per cent of their combined capacity.
Bhatsa Dam, the largest among Mumbai’s water sources, recorded 27.00 mm of rainfall and now holds 706,337 ML, amounting to 98.51 per cent of its capacity. Bhatsa Dam gates remain open, as do those of Upper Vaitarna and Middle Vaitarna, where water release began on August 21 and August 18, respectively. Tulsi Lake began overflowing on August 16, and all overflow conditions are being monitored closely.
At the Bhandup Complex, which serves as the control hub for the city`s water management, 49.00 mm of rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the season’s total to 2,625.00 mm. This remains slightly below than 2024’s seasonal rainfall total of 2,972.48 mm, but with most lakes at or near full capacity, the city’s water supply for the coming year appears secure.
