Mumbai awaits much-needed rain recharge as reservoirs remain critically low

Tansa Lake. File pic

Mumbai's seven lakes now hold 1,86,032 million litres (ML) of water, just 12.85 per cent of their total storage capacity of 14,47,363 ML, prompting concerns over the city's water security ahead of the monsoon.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has already imposed a 10 per cent water cut since May 15 to ensure the available stock lasts until the end of July. Despite the low levels, civic officials said no further cuts are being considered at present.

However, a worrying trend has emerged: except for Tansa and Modak Sagar, none of the lake catchment areas have received rainfall so far this year.

The seven lakes supplying water to Mumbai

>> Bhatsa
>> Upper Vaitarna
>> Middle Vaitarna
>> Tansa
>> Modak Sagar
>> Vihar
>> Tulsi

Then vs now

June 9, 2025
>> Lakes were 10.41per cent full
>> South West monsoon had already arrived on May 26
>> All lake catchments had received rainfall
>> Cumulative catchment rainfall had crossed 250 mm

June 10, 2026
>> Lakes are 12.85per cent full
>> Monsoon yet to significantly recharge reservoirs
>> Only two catchments have received rainfall
>> Five catchments remain completely dry

Why the concern?

While water stock is higher than on the same day last year, the monsoon arrived much earlier in 2025.

Total capacity
14,47,363 ML

Water supplied daily
Normal supply: 3950-4100 MLD
Current supply: 3650 MLD

Mumbai's lake levels

Year Water stock (ML) Storage (per cent)
2026 1,86,032 12.85per cent
2025 1,50,730 10.41per cent

Rainfall tracker

Catchment rainfall received so far
Lake Rainfall
Tansa 13 mm
Modak Sagar 7 mm
Bhatsa 0 mm
Upper Vaitarna 0 mm
Middle Vaitarna 0 mm
Vihar 0 mm
Tulsi 0 mm