Mumbai Lakes Likely To Hit Full Capacity In Shortest Period In 10 Years As Water Levels Rise To 80%

The major lakes supplying water to Mumbai reached over 80% capacity on Wednesday, holding 11,62,565 million litres of usable water. With more rainfall predicted in the coming days, these lakes are likely to hit their peak capacity in a record time in the last 10 years. At the same time last year, the water stock in the seven lakes combined was 36.86%.

The seven water supplying lakes in 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. 

According to data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city's lakes reached full capacity on September 5 in both 2022 and 2023, which marked the earliest in the past decade. In those years, the overall water stock had reached 70% by the end of July. This year, with storage already at 80% by mid-July, the water levels in all seven lakes could potentially reach full capacity by the second half of August, an Indian Express report added, citing the BMC data.

In 2024, the lakes reached the 70% mark on July 24, while the full capacity was reached on Sept. 29. The latest data shared by the BMC shows that all lakes are currently above 50% capacity. While Modak Sagar became the first lake to be completely filled this year, Upper Vaitarna (77%), Middle Vaitarna (92%) and Tansa (89.19%) are also nearing their full capacity. The continuous surge in water levels of these lakes is due to the early arrival of the monsoon in Mumbai and the surrounding areas. As a result, the city is unlikely to face any water cuts next summer. 

This year, the monsoon arrived in Mumbai on May 27, marking its earliest arrival since 1950, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The previous earliest date was May 29.

The IMD also said that Mumbai and other districts of Maharashtra will continue to see up to moderate rainfall in the next five days. It has warned about heavy rainfall in central Maharashtra, Goa and Konkan on July 20 and 21.

For Mumbai, the IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall for the rest of this week. The agency has placed the city on a yellow alert till 1 p.m. on Wednesday, warning about the possibility of light rain up to 5 mm per hour.