BMC seeks reserve water quota from state as Mumbai lake levels fall to 82 per cent

El Nino has created severe drought conditions in many talukas of the state. Drought usually hits villages harder, but this time its effect has begun to reach cities too. Mumbai, the country's financial capital, is already showing a dip in water stocks. In view of this, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has written to the state government seeking reserve water.

Every summer, Mumbai has a water cut of about 10 per cent, which is lifted after the rains. This time, because of El Nino, the BMC has begun preparing now to avoid a large cut at the end of summer.

The seven lakes that supply Mumbai together hold 82 per cent water at present. This is lower than in the past two years. In 2024, 91.80 per cent was left, and in 2025, 85 per cent. Even if rain is expected to arrive by mid-June next year, about seven and a half months still remain. A water shortage in Mumbai in the coming days is therefore feared.

To avoid this shortage, the municipal corporation has asked the state government for additional water. It has demanded that reserve water from the Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna dams be made available. It has sought at least 10 to 20 per cent more water from the reserve quota. According to municipal officials, the state government has given a positive response to the demand.

The letter says that, because of El Nino, rain did not cooperate in the lake catchment area, so the water stock did not rise as expected. For this reason, the state government had directed all municipal corporations to plan their water supply until July-August next year.

Mumbai needs about 4,100 million litres of water a day. To meet the year's requirement, the seven lakes were expected to hold 14,47,363 million litres on October 1. Last year, 1,47,092 million litres of reserve water was released from the Bhatsa dam and 90,000 million litres from Upper Vaitarna.

The administration plans to start using reserve water if the situation turns serious at the end of May. If the water cut has to be raised to 20 per cent, the reserve stock will be drawn upon.

Current stocks in the lakes are: Upper Vaitarna 92 per cent, Modak Sagar 49 per cent, Tansa 79 per cent, Middle Vaitarna 82 per cent, Bhatsa 85 per cent, Vihar 91 per cent and Tulsi 85 per cent. Total stock is 82 per cent.