Mumbai's reservoirs hit three‑year high as water cuts persist

Heavy July rain pushed the water levels of Mumbai’s seven reservoirs to an 88.8% combined storage, the highest for this time of year in three years. Four lakes – Tulsi, Vihar, Modak Sagar and Tansa – reached full capacity, while the others remain below 100%. Despite the surge, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said water cuts will stay in place until the reservoirs reach full storage, as the city’s daily demand of about 4,300 million litres still exceeds the current supply of roughly 3,850 million litres, leaving a shortfall of around 450 MLD.

The city’s water system, which relies on monsoon‑filled catchments outside Mumbai, has also drawn attention to a multi‑billion‑rupee desalination project at Manori and a planned underground tunnel to connect the plant to the municipal network. Officials argue the projects are intended to secure long‑term water availability, even as recent rains have temporarily alleviated the deficit.