Drought across Maharashtra clouds Mumbai’s water relief despite 97% lake stock

Mumbai: BMC is likely to continue the 10% citywide water cut for the rest of the year though the seven supplying lakes have reached 97% of the total required quantum of 14.47 lakh million litres, following the state govt’s recent directive to municipal bodies to ensure adequate water availability until August 2027. The water cut has been in force since May 15.

As on Sept 27, the total usable water stock stood at 14.1 lakh million litres, marginally below the levels recorded over the past two years — 14.3 lakh million litres or 99% on the same day last year and 14.4 lakh million litres or 99.4% in 2024.

The state govt directive had come amid projections of a strong El Niño by World Meteorological Organization persisting through Feb 2027, which could affect India’s weather, temperatures and agricultural conditions into early 2027. Civic sources said that the city’s water situation may also be viewed against the backdrop of the govt’s declaration of drought-like conditions in 265 of the 358 talukas — nearly two-thirds of the state — on Saturday.