Reservoir Storage Jumps by Over 13% in a Day as Catchment Areas Receive Intense Rainfall
Mumbai received a major boost to its water reserves on Wednesday after continuous heavy rainfall across the city’s catchment areas significantly increased storage levels in the seven lakes that supply drinking water. According to the latest data, the combined water stock has climbed to 41.36% of the total storage capacity, marking a sharp rise from 28.92% recorded on Tuesday morning.
The rapid increase has added nearly 13 percentage points to the reservoirs within just 24 hours, substantially improving the city’s available water supply and easing concerns over dwindling reserves after the summer months.
Vihar and Tulsi Lakes Reach Full Capacity
The overnight rainfall also led to Vihar and Tulsi lakes reaching their maximum storage levels, with both reservoirs beginning to overflow. Civic officials said the development is an encouraging sign as the monsoon continues to replenish Mumbai’s primary drinking water sources.
The seven reservoirs together currently hold 5.98 lakh million litres (ML) of water against their total live storage capacity of 14.47 lakh ML.
Current Water Storage Across Seven Lakes
The latest reservoir levels are:
- Upper Vaitarna: 46,908 ML (20.66%)
- Modak Sagar: 93,003 ML (72.14%)
- Tansa: 1,00,614 ML (69.35%)
- Middle Vaitarna: 67,118 ML (34.68%)
- Bhatsa: 2,55,202 ML (35.59%)
- Vihar: 27,698 ML (100%)
- Tulsi: 8,046 ML (100%)
Water Cut to Continue Despite Improvement
Despite the significant improvement in reservoir levels, Mumbai residents will continue to face the existing 10% water supply cut. Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the restriction will remain in force until there is greater certainty about sustained rainfall during the monsoon.
According to officials from the Hydraulic Engineering Department, rainfall intensity could reduce in the coming weeks, making it premature to withdraw the water cut. The civic body is expected to review the situation towards the end of July after assessing whether all seven reservoirs have filled sufficiently to ensure an uninterrupted water supply for the rest of the year.
The recent spell of heavy rain has nevertheless provided much-needed relief after the city’s reservoir levels had dropped sharply before the arrival of the monsoon, raising concerns over Mumbai’s drinking water availability.
