Mumbai lake levels: Water stock reaches 28.92 per cent after heavy monsoon rainfall

The lake catchment regions witnessed intense rainfall during the last 24 hours. Representational Pic

Relentless monsoon showers have significantly improved Mumbai's water reserves, with the city's seven lakes recording a 12 percentage points rise in water stock over the past 24 hours.

According to the Hydraulic Engineer's Department, the reservoirs supplying drinking water to Mumbai now hold 418,649 million litres (ML) of water, or 28.92 per cent of their total live storage capacity of 1,447,363 ML, as of 6 am on Tuesday, July 7.

Mumbai's water stock surged by nearly 71% in just 24 hours, rising from 244,900 ML to 418,649 ML after heavy monsoon rainfall.

The sharp increase comes after heavy rainfall across the lake catchment areas between 6 am on July 6 and 6 am on July 7, providing a much-needed boost to the city's water reserves.

Vihar and Tulsi lakes nearing full capacity

Among Mumbai's seven reservoirs, Vihar Lake has reached 98.98 per cent of its live storage capacity, while Tulsi Lake stands at 95.88 per cent.

Modak Sagar has filled up to 52.22 per cent, followed by Tansa (42.85 per cent), Middle Vaitarna (26.12 per cent), Bhatsa (24.50 per cent) and Upper Vaitarna (12.25 per cent).

Catchment areas receive heavy rainfall

The lake catchment regions witnessed intense rainfall during the last 24 hours. Modak Sagar recorded the highest rainfall at 345 mm, followed by Tansa (322 mm), Middle Vaitarna (235 mm), Upper Vaitarna (212 mm), Bhatsa (172 mm), Tulsi (160 mm) and Vihar (151 mm).

The Bhandup Complex recorded 140 mm of rainfall during the same period, taking the season's cumulative rainfall to 1,602 mm.

Water releases halted

The report stated that the Middle Vaitarna WSCPO gate, which had been opened on June 23, was closed on July 6 at 2 pm. Similarly, the Upper Vaitarna reservoir release, which had commenced on June 22, was stopped on July 6 at 10 am, indicating improving storage conditions.

With the India Meteorological Department forecasting continued heavy rainfall across Mumbai and its catchment areas, officials expect water levels in the city's reservoirs to rise further in the coming days.

Here's how much reservoirs have risen (July 1-7)

July 1: 7.18 per cent
July 2: 8.12 per cent
July 3: 8.93 per cent
July 4: 9.41 per cent
July 5: 13.19 per cent
July 6: 16.92 per cent
July 7: 28.92 per cent

Key takeaways

Total rise between July 1 and July 7: 21.74 percentage points

The lake level increased more than fourfold (from 7.18 per cent to 28.92 per cent) in just a week.

July 7 recorded the biggest single-day jump of 12 percentage points, accounting for over 55 per cent of the week's total increase.

City records up to 78 mm of rainfall

Mumbai witnessed another spell of monsoon showers over the last 24 hours, with the western and eastern suburbs recording significantly higher rainfall than the island city.

According to the latest weather data, the western suburbs received 78 mm of rain, the eastern suburbs recorded 77 mm, while the city logged 46 mm between 8 am on July 6 and 8 am on July 7, as the IMD forecast heavy rainfall across the financial capital.