Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 17: Mumbai’s seven lakes, which supply drinking water to the city, are holding 97.55 per cent of their combined useful storage capacity, according to the latest data released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

As of 6 am on Thursday, September 17, the reservoirs had 14,11,942 million litres (ML) of water against their combined useful capacity of 14,47,363 ML.

The current storage is marginally lower than the corresponding period in the previous two years. The lakes were at 98.87 per cent capacity on September 17, 2025, and 98.64 per cent on the same date in 2024.

Vehar Lake was at 100 per cent capacity, holding 27,698 ML against its useful capacity of 27,698 ML. Its water level declined by 0.03 metres over the past 24 hours, with no rainfall recorded during the period. Its seasonal rainfall total stood at 2,701 mm.

Tulsi Lake was at 99.87 per cent capacity, with 8,035 ML stored against its useful capacity of 8,046 ML. Its level dipped by 0.01 metres, while no rainfall was recorded. The lake’s seasonal rainfall total stood at 3,702 mm.

Bhatsa, Mumbai’s largest water source by capacity, was at 98.97 per cent capacity, with 7,09,630 ML stored against its useful capacity of 7,17,037 ML. Its level remained unchanged despite receiving 12 mm of rainfall, while its cumulative seasonal rainfall stood at 2,682 mm.

Tansa was at 99.02 per cent capacity, holding 1,43,652 ML against a useful capacity of 1,45,080 ML. Its level rose by 0.01 metres after receiving 18 mm of rainfall, taking its seasonal rainfall total to 2,941 mm.

Middle Vaitarna stood at 98.69 per cent capacity, with 1,90,993 ML stored against its useful capacity of 1,93,530 ML. Its water level rose by 0.17 metres, the highest increase among the seven lakes, after receiving 14 mm of rainfall. Its seasonal rainfall total reached 2,914 mm.

Upper Vaitarna was at 94.27 per cent capacity, the lowest among the seven lakes, with 2,14,029 ML stored against its useful capacity of 2,27,047 ML. Its level increased by 0.02 metres after receiving 5 mm of rainfall. Its seasonal rainfall total stood at 3,834 mm, the highest among the seven reservoirs.

Modak Sagar was at 91.45 per cent capacity, the second-lowest among the seven lakes, with 1,17,906 ML stored against its useful capacity of 1,28,925 ML. Its water level fell by 0.16 metres, the sharpest decline among the reservoirs, despite receiving 2 mm of rainfall. Its seasonal rainfall total stood at 3,237 mm.

The combined storage of Upper Vaitarna, Vaitarna, Tansa and Middle Vaitarna stood at 95.97 per cent of their useful capacity, with 6,66,579 ML stored against a capacity of 6,94,582 ML. The corresponding figure was 99.10 per cent on September 17, 2025, and 98.78 per cent in 2024.

Several of Mumbai’s lakes had overflowed earlier during the monsoon. Vehar Lake began overflowing on July 7, followed by Tulsi Lake later the same day. Tansa Dam began overflowing on July 22, while Modak Sagar Dam followed on July 23.

With the monsoon nearing its end, Mumbai’s seven lakes continue to hold more than 97 per cent of their combined useful storage capacity, although the level remains slightly below that recorded on the same date in the previous two years.