Mumbai Lakes At 82% Capacity, Water Levels Likely To Rise More As IMD Issues Yellow Alert Till July 24

Water levels in seven major lakes supplying water to Mumbai surged to over 82% capacity on Monday. The reservoirs helping Mumbai to meet its drinking water needs held 11,96,232 million litres of water as of Monday at 6 a.m., the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation data showed.

With more rainfall predicted in the coming days in the city by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), these seven major lakes are expected to see a further surge in water levels.

The seven lakes supplying water to Mumbai are Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Upper Vaitarna, Tansa, Vehar, Tulsi and Middle Vaitarna. Together, these seven lakes can hold 14,47,363 million litres of usable water. These lakes, spread across Mumbai, Thane and Palghar, serve as a lifeline for Mumbai’s water needs.

Modak Sagar continues to be at the highest capacity among all lakes, holding 1,29,656 million litres, reaching 99% of its capacity. Last week, the lake started overflowing after reaching its full storage of 1,28,925 million litres.

Middle Vaitarna and Tansa are also over 90% capacity, the data shows. The latest surge in water levels of these lakes was seen due to heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours. Except for Modak Sagar, the overall water levels surged in all lakes during this period. The highest surge was recorded in the Middle Vaitarna at 0.12 metre.

Overall, these lakes are at a combined capacity of 82.65%, which is nearly double compared to a year ago. In 2024, the levels stood at 43.41% or 6,28,253 million litres on July 21.

With the continuous rainfall and rising water levels, Mumbai’s lakes may reach full capacity this year, the shortest duration in a decade. In 2024, the lakes touched the 70% mark by July 24, but reached full capacity on Sept. 29. The record for earliest full capacity of these lakes in the past decade was logged in 2022 and 2023, when they hit full storage on Sept. 5.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the Marathwada region is expected to receive heavy rainfall on Monday. The agency has warned about heavy to very heavy rainfall for Konkan, Goa and central Maharashtra districts till July 27. It has also issued a yellow alert for Mumbai and other coastal districts of Maharashtra till July 24, anticipating moderate to heavy rainfall in the region.

• July 21: Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, moderate rainfall and gusty winds (30-40kmph) at isolated places.

• July 22: Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, moderate rainfall and gusty winds (30-40kmph) at isolated places.

• July 23: Heavy rainfall at a few places.

• July 24: Heavy rainfall at a few places.