Mumbai Lakes’ Water Levels Reach 29.7%, Match Last Year’s Figures

Mumbai, 15th July 2024: During this monsoon season, the water levels in Mumbai’s seven lakes reached 29.7% on Sunday morning, matching last year’s levels on July 14 for the first time. This marks a significant increase from the 25% recorded on Saturday morning, although civic officials have decided to maintain the current 10% reduction in water supply to the city.

“While the recent rains have boosted the water stock, sustained and progressive rainfall is crucial to approach full capacity,” stated a BMC official. “The lakes need to reach nearly 100% capacity before considering lifting the water cut.”

As of Sunday, the total water stock in the lakes was 4.3 lakh million litres, equivalent to 29.7% of the required quantum. This figure matches that of July 14, 2023, but remains lower compared to the same date in 2022, which recorded 9.5 lakh million litres or 65.8% of the total required quantity.

Among the lakes, Bhatsa, a major water source for Mumbai, currently holds 28.7% of its useful water content this year. Vihar and Tulsi, smaller lakes, have 52.1% and 91.4% water stock respectively. Upper Vaitarna stands at 1.9%, Modak Sagar at 45.7%, Tansa at 60.9%, and Middle Vaitarna at 27.1%. BMC officials have halted additional withdrawals from reserve stocks, including 1.4 lakh million litres from Bhatsa and 91,130 million litres from Upper Vaitarna.

Bhatsa provides the highest percentage of potable water to Mumbai at 48%, followed by Upper Vaitarna at 16%, Middle Vaitarna at 12%, Modak Sagar at 11%, and Tansa at 10%.