Mumbai is facing a growing water crisis as the combined water stock in the city’s seven reservoirs has fallen below 10 per cent of their total storage capacity. Civic authorities have warned that an additional 10 per cent cut in water supply could be imposed from July if rainfall remains inadequate and reservoir levels do not improve.
According to officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the seven lakes supplying water to the city currently hold approximately 1.4 lakh million liters of water, which is about 9.7 per cent of their total capacity.
The city is already operating under a 10 per cent water supply cut, while authorities have also begun utilizing reserve water from state-owned sources to manage demand. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar informed civic representatives that the available water stock is expected to last until around August 20 under current consumption patterns. However, officials cautioned that the situation remains critical and largely dependent on the progress of the monsoon during the final weeks of June and throughout July.
Bangar highlighted concerns regarding the possible impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon, which could result in higher temperatures during October and November. Such conditions may increase evaporation losses from reservoirs and place further pressure on already strained water resources.
He drew comparisons with the severe water shortage experienced in 2009, when the city was forced to continue water restrictions for much of the year due to inadequate rainfall. “While forecasts indicate significant rainfall in July, the present situation remains serious and requires close monitoring,” Bangar said.
The issue was raised during discussions among corporators from various political parties, who sought clarity on the BMC’s preparedness and contingency plans to address declining reservoir levels if monsoon rains fail to replenish water stocks sufficiently. In response to the emerging crisis, the Maharashtra government has directed the BMC to prepare a comprehensive roadmap covering water availability, supply management, conservation strategies, and emergency response measures through August 2027.
Officials said the plan will focus on long-term water security while ensuring the city is better equipped to handle periods of deficient rainfall and climate-related challenges in the future. For now, authorities are urging citizens to use water judiciously and prepare for the possibility of stricter conservation measures if reservoir levels do not improve substantially in the coming weeks.
