Mumbai’s Water Reserves at 51%: Officials Urge Conservation Ahead of Monsoon | File Image
Mumbai: With just four months left until the monsoon, the seven lakes supplying water to the city are currently at 51% of their total capacity. This is a slight improvement compared to the same time last year when the lakes were at 50% and 45% capacity in 2024 and 2023, respectively. However, officials are concerned that the rising temperatures could lead to increased evaporation, further depleting the water stock.
Last year, the city faced an dry spell during June and July, which is typically the peak of the monsoon season. This dry period resulted in a 10% water cut that lasted for nearly two months, impacting daily water supply. So, the BMC started withdrawing water from the state-allotted reserve stock at Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna lakes in July to maintain the city’s water supply. Fortunately, the heavy rains in mid-and August provided much-needed relief, replenishing reservoirs and easing the pressure on the water supply system.
As of Monday, the seven lakes supplying water to the city have a total water stock of 7.39 lakh million litres (ML), which is expected to last until the end of July. However, civic officials are concerned that the ongoing heat may accelerate evaporation, leading to a faster depletion of the water supply.
To mitigate this, the BMC plans to launch an awareness campaign urging residents to conserve drinking water and adopt measures like using recycled water for gardening, car washing, and flushing toilets. The BMC supplies 3,950 ML of water daily to the city from seven lakes in Mumbai and the Thane district. The city requires 14.47 lakh ML of water annually.
Total water stock in seven lakes on February 24..
Lakes…..current level ….overflow level (all figures in metres)
Upper Vaitarna..601.44…..603.51
Modak Sagar….148.39…..163.15
Tansa…123.83……128.63
Middle Vaitarna….267.60…..285
Bhatsa…127.75…..142.07
Vehar…77.90….80.12
Tulsi…136.28…….139.17
