Mumbai’s drinking water situation has improved significantly after relentless monsoon rains across the city’s catchment areas triggered a sharp rise in reservoir levels. Fresh data released on Tuesday shows that the seven lakes supplying water to the metropolis have witnessed a substantial increase in storage, easing concerns over water availability in the coming months.
As of 6 am on July 7, the city’s seven reservoirs collectively held 4,18,649 million litres of water, taking the total useful live storage to 28.92 per cent. The increase marks a dramatic jump from 16.92 per cent recorded a day earlier, reflecting the impact of continuous rainfall across the lake regions.
The four principal reservoirs that account for the bulk of Mumbai’s drinking water supply—Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa and Middle Vaitarna—also recorded a healthy rise in storage. Together, they now contain 2,07,843 million litres of water, equivalent to 29.92 per cent of their total useful capacity.
Among the reservoirs, Vihar is nearing full capacity with 98.98 per cent storage, while Tulsi has reached 95.88 per cent. Modak Sagar currently stands at 52.22 per cent, followed by Tansa at 42.85 per cent, Middle Vaitarna at 36.12 per cent, Bhatsa at 24.50 per cent, and Upper Vaitarna at 12.25 per cent.
Heavy rainfall continued across the catchment regions over the past 24 hours, significantly boosting inflows into the reservoirs. Modak Sagar recorded the highest rainfall at 345 mm, followed by Tansa with 322 mm. Middle Vaitarna received 235 mm, Upper Vaitarna 212 mm, Bhatsa 172 mm, Tulsi 160 mm, and Vihar 151 mm.
The Bhandup Complex, which oversees Mumbai’s water distribution network, registered 140 mm of rainfall during the same period. The cumulative monsoon rainfall at the complex has now climbed to 1,602 mm.
The improving reservoir levels have also prompted changes in water management operations. Authorities have discontinued the release of water from the Upper Vaitarna reservoir, which had been underway since June 22, while the Middle Vaitarna gate was shut late on July 6 after water levels rose considerably.
The sharp increase in water reserves follows several days of intense monsoon activity across Mumbai and surrounding catchment areas, bringing welcome relief to the city’s water supply outlook as the rainy season continues.
