Mumbai's Water Reservoirs Show 28% Increase in Levels Amidst Early Monsoon

Mumbai: Water levels in the city are being closely monitored, as the most recent report from the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department (Master Control Centre, Bhandup Complex) at 6:00 AM on Monday, June 23, 2025, indicates varying trends in reservoir storage. Mumbai’s lakes have accumulated up to 40 Lakh ML or 28% in the last 24 hours, leading to a total monsoon rainfall of 363.00 mm thus far.

Minor Decline Noted in Upper Vaitarna Levels

Upper Vaitarna, a vital water source for Mumbai, registered a water level of 598.48 meters, indicating a slight decrease of 0.18 meters. The lake presently contains 75,726 million litres of available water. Significantly, water release from Upper Vaitarna has been halted since June 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM.

Modak Sagar rises to 147.38 meters, holding 20,197 million litres of water, whereas Tansa currently sits at 121.45 meters, housing 30,153 million litres. The two lakes play a key role in meeting Mumbai's daily water requirements and have stayed fairly consistent despite changing rainfall patterns.

Middle Vaitarna registered a height of 238.60 meters and contains 19,127 million liters of usable storage. The WSCPO gate at this location is still shut. Bhatsa, the biggest reservoir in the city, achieved a height of 103.25 meters with a substantial storage capability of 7,17,037 million litres, of which 5,78,130 million litres is designated for MCGM use.

Vihar Lake, a smaller yet strategically significant reservoir, contains 5,226 million litres at its current elevation of 75.32 meters. Although rainfall in its catchment area was limited, every drop is significant as the city moves further into the monsoon season.

The rainfall pattern, particularly over Bhatsa’s catchment, continues to play a crucial role, with recent precipitation enhancing cumulative totals but not yet raising storage to satisfactory levels. Civic authorities are still observing the lake levels, expecting increased rainfall in the upcoming weeks to greatly enhance Mumbai’s water supply. According to the weather forecast by IMD, the Konkan-Goa region is anticipated to experience heavy rainfall today.