Mumbai’s Seven Lakes Over 97% Full, Water Reserve Projected to Last Over Nine Months

Mumbai, 5th September 2024: Despite the city experiencing a dry spell, the water levels in Mumbai’s seven lakes have exceeded 97 % of their total capacity as of Tuesday morning. The total water volume in these lakes now stands at 14.05 lakh million litres.

On Tuesday, the lake levels reached 97.12 %, a notable increase from the same day last year when levels were at 90.69 %. In 2022, water stock had risen to 98 % by September 3.

Concerns about potential water shortages until mid-2025 were addressed in August when the total water stock hit 90 %.

Civic officials report that each % of water corresponds to three days of supply, and the current water reserve is projected to last for 291 days, which is over nine months.

Earlier this year, the water level had drastically dropped to nearly 5 % by June due to high evaporation rates during the hot summer. However, heavy rainfall in July led to significant replenishment, with at least four of the seven lakes filling and overflowing.

Mumbai’s water supply comes from seven lakes—Tulsi, Vihar, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Upper Vaitarna, and Middle Vaitarna—located across Mumbai, Thane, and Nashik districts.

These lakes are replenished during the monsoon season, and the water is distributed via a network of pipelines throughout the year.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the highest rainfall between Monday and Tuesday morning was recorded at Modak Sagar with 21 mm, followed by Middle Vaitarna and Bhatsa lakes, each receiving 20 mm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts only moderate rain for Mumbai and Thane until at least Saturday. From Monday to Tuesday morning, the IMD’s Santacruz station recorded 21.9 mm of rainfall, while the Colaba coastal observatory received 6.2 mm.