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Mumbai: The water stock across the seven lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai has surged from 8.60% to 28% within a week marking the highest level recorded in the past three years. As of Monday morning, the collective water stock stood at 4.08 lakh million litres (ML), a substantial increase driven by heavy monsoon showers over the catchment areas. This sharp rise means the current water stock is now sufficient to meet the city's drinking water needs for the next 103 days.
During the same period in previous years, Mumbai’s water stock levels were just 5.31% (76,824) in 2024 and 6.92% (1,00,111) in 2023. Although the monsoon arrived early this year on May 26, the initial momentum quickly faded as rainfall activity weakened across the region.
As a result, water levels in the lakes dropped to a concerning 8%, prompting the BMC to tap into reserve stocks from the Upper Vaitarna lake to maintain the city’s supply. However, a renewed spell of intense rainfall in the Thane and Nashik districts, where the major Mumbai’s lakes are located, has brought much-needed relief.
Mumbai requires a total stock of 14.47 lakh ML by October 1, to meet its annual water requirement, with the BMC supplying around 3,950 ML of water daily to the city and suburbs.
“While the current rise in water levels is certainly a relief, we are not out of the woods yet,” a senior civic official said. “Rainfall activity needs to continue consistently through September to ensure that the city reaches the critical 14.47 lakh ML mark needed for the year, " he added. Meanwhile, a heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours has alone added 19,776 ML of water to the lakes.
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Total water stock in seven lakes on June 23...
Lakes.....current level ....overflow level (all figures in metres)
Upper Vaitarna..598.48.....603.51
Modak Sagar....153.71...163.15
Tansa...122.47......128.63
Middle Vaitarna....255.35...285
Bhatsa...116.60.....142.07
Vehar...76.71...80.12
Tulsi...134.89.......139.17
