Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 3: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun reviewing its water management plans following the India Meteorological Department's revised forecast that the country may receive only 90 per cent of its long-period average rainfall this year.

The forecast has raised concerns within the civic administration as Mumbai depends entirely on monsoon-fed reservoirs for its drinking water supply.

According to civic officials, a high-level meeting was recently held to assess the city's water situation and explore measures to ensure adequate supply through the summer of 2027.

Authorities have been directed to closely monitor rainfall in the catchment areas of Mumbai's lakes over the next two months, a critical period for replenishing reservoir levels.

Officials said it is too early to impose additional restrictions but acknowledged that below-normal rainfall could affect water availability in the coming year if reservoir storage remains inadequate.

The civic body is also keeping a close watch on the possible impact of El Niño conditions, which are often associated with higher temperatures and reduced rainfall. Officials warned that prolonged heat after the monsoon could increase evaporation from reservoirs, placing further pressure on water reserves.

As a precautionary step, the BMC is considering stricter monitoring of water tanker operations across the city. Enhanced oversight at filling stations and tighter regulation of tanker services are being planned to ensure fair distribution and prevent excessive pricing during periods of increased demand.

The administration is also likely to encourage residents to adopt water conservation measures and use water responsibly.

Mumbai is currently under a 10 per cent water cut that came into effect on May 15. However, officials clarified that no decision has been taken regarding any further reduction in supply. Future action will depend on rainfall received during the ongoing monsoon season and reservoir storage levels.

Authorities said they would reassess the situation over the next two to three months before deciding on any additional measures.

Mumbai draws its drinking water from seven reservoirs — Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vihar and Tulsi — which together have a storage capacity of 14.47 lakh million litres.

According to the latest data, water stock in the seven reservoirs stands at around 15 per cent of total capacity, equivalent to approximately 2.21 lakh million litres. Officials estimate that the current reserves are sufficient to meet the city's water requirements for around 45 days.

The BMC said it is preparing for multiple rainfall scenarios to ensure uninterrupted water supply and minimise the impact of any potential shortfall during the next summer season.