Mumbai's lake levels hit three-year high despite delayed monsoon; 10 per cent water cut stays

Representation pic

Despite a delayed monsoon, water stock in Mumbai's seven lakes has climbed to its highest level for this date in the past three years, easing concerns over the city's drinking water supply. As of Tuesday morning, the lakes were 88.81 per cent full, holding 12.85 lakh million litres of water - enough to meet Mumbai's needs till around April-end 2027, civic officials said.

Even so, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to continue the 10 per cent water cut imposed on May 15, saying it will review the situation only after monitoring rainfall through the rest of the monsoon. Mumbai currently receives 3650 MLD of water after the cut, down from the usual 3950-4100 MLD.

Why is the water cut still in place?

>> According to civic officials, the restriction was imposed on May 15, when lake storage was about 23.5 per cent
>> IMD forecasts warned of a weaker monsoon due to El Nino.
>> Two months of the monsoon season are still left.
>> The state government issued another advisory around July 23, urging judicious use of water.
>> BMC says it prefers not to withdraw restrictions prematurely.

Lake levels improving

Mumbai draws drinking water from seven lakes - Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, and Tansa in Thane and Nashik districts, besides Tulsi and Vihar inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park. This monsoon, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Tulsi, and Vihar have already overflowed, with each receiving more than 2000 mm of rainfall.

A senior civic official said the city had benefited from a few spells of heavy rain. "Today's lake levels are the best we have had in three years. With a single spell of heavy rainfall, lake levels can rise by eight to 10 percentage points in a day. But the water cut will remain till the end of the monsoon."

The official said the civic body imposed the restriction as a precaution after forecasts warned of a weak monsoon due to El Nino. "Anticipating below-average rainfall, the civic body needed to rationalise available water so that the reservoirs could sustain Mumbai till the next fair season, even if rainfall remained deficient."

Official Speak

Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar said, "Tuesday's lake levels indicate that we will face no more problems this year. Mumbai is unlikely to see a complete absence of rainfall till September-end, which means the lakes should reach full capacity. However, we have to monitor the monsoon and water situation till August-end. As of now, there is no decision to withdraw the water cut."

Quick view

Current lake stock 88.81%
Water available 12.85 lakh million litres
Water supply after cut Approx. 3650 MLD
Normal supply 3950-4100 MLD
Water cut in force 10%
Water expected to last till April-end 2027

Lake level comparison

2026: 88.81%
2025: 88.70%
2024: 72.97%

Monsoon arrival

Year 2026 2025
Arrival June 23 May 26