Mumbai Lakes 97% Full After Heavy Rains on Anant Chaturdashi; IMD Issues Yellow Alert

Mumbai woke up to moderate to heavy showers on Saturday morning, coinciding with Anant Chaturdashi, the concluding day of Ganeshotsav. The rains added to the festive mood while also boosting water levels in the city's reservoirs.

According to data shared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the total water stock in all seven lakes stood at 14,05,437 million litres, amounting to 97.10 percent of their collective capacity as of September 6. The civic body supplies water to the city daily from Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vihar, and Tulsi lakes.

Thanks to consistent rainfall over the past week, most of these lakes are nearing full capacity. Lake-wise figures show Modak Sagar, Vihar, and Tulsi at 100 percent, Tansa at 98.85 percent, Upper Vaitarna at 98.09 percent, Middle Vaitarna at 96.89 percent, and Bhatsa-the largest supplier-at 95.83 percent. Civic officials confirmed that this storage ensures Mumbai's water security until the next monsoon season.

Bhatsa, Vihar, and Tulsi together form the Bhatsa system, which supplies water to the eastern suburbs from Mulund Check Naka to Sion and onward to Mazgaon, after treatment at the Panjarpur Water Treatment Plant.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad, forecasting heavy rainfall in isolated pockets. The warning coincides with large-scale visarjan processions across the city, where lakhs of devotees will immerse idols of Lord Ganesha. Authorities have urged citizens to remain careful during the festivities, particularly near immersion spots along the coast, as rains combined with high tides could lead to disruptions.