BMC maintains Mumbai water cut as Thane and Palghar reservoirs remain half full
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that a 10 percent water cut implemented across Mumbai will not be reversed until all seven supplying lakes are completely filled. Although the region saw heavy early-season rain, key water reservoirs located in Thane and Palghar districts remain only half full due to a delayed monsoon start and a below-average rainfall forecast.
As of Thursday morning, the total water stock across the seven reservoirs stood at 7.18 lakh million litres (ML), which represents 49.65 percent of the total capacity of 14.47 lakh ML. This is a significant drop compared to the same day last year, when the lakes were 80.32 percent full.
The monsoon arrived in the region with a 12-day delay this year. However, heavy rainfall in the first week of July helped the metropolis cross its average July rainfall early. On Thursday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the Colaba observatory had recorded 1,375.3 mm of rainfall so far this season, which is 66.22 percent of its average annual rainfall. Meanwhile, the Santacruz observatory recorded 1,569.4 mm, representing 67.68 percent of its average annual rainfall. By comparison, on the same day last year, the Colaba and Santacruz observatories had recorded only 34.68 percent and 34.28 percent of their annual averages, respectively.
Despite the strong start to July, the IMD has predicted below-average rainfall for the remainder of the 2026 monsoon season. This forecast is attributed to the effects of El Nino climatic conditions. In response to this prediction, the BMC decided to maintain the 10 percent water cut to preserve the existing stock.
For the water cuts to be lifted, the catchment areas in Thane and Palghar districts must receive sufficient rainfall to fill the reservoirs. Currently, only two smaller lakes, Vihar and Tulsi, have overflown or are near full capacity. Vihar is at 100 percent capacity with 27,698 ML, and Tulsi is at 98.02 percent capacity with 7,887 ML.
The larger reservoirs remain significantly below capacity. Bhatsa, the largest reservoir, is at 44.30 percent capacity with 317,680 ML. Upper Vaitarna is at 28.76 percent capacity with 65,295 ML, Middle Vaitarna is at 44.45 percent with 86,014 ML, Modak Sagar is at 77.12 percent with 99,436 ML, and Tansa is at 78.98 percent with 114,587 ML.
Following a week-long lull, light to moderate showers returned on Thursday morning, with skies remaining partly cloudy. Areas such as Mulund West, Bhandup, Powai, Dindoshi, Borivali, and Lower Parel received higher rainfall. The IMD expects light to moderate rainfall over the upcoming weekend.
