Water reserves in the seven dams that supply water to Mumbai are decreasing rapidly due to extreme summer heat. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)is likely to impose 10% water supply cut from May in view of the weather forecast indicating rainfall deficit during the upcoming rainy season due to El Niño.
According to the weather forecast agency SkyMet, El Niño will affect the southwest monsoon, which will further raises concerned of a water crisis in the city and surrounding areas. Mumbai civic body is likely to enforce a 10% water cut from the first week of May 2026, which can last till August.
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The BMC currently supplies about 4,000 ML of water daily to the city and suburbs against a demand of 4,463 ML. The supply is fulfilled with the help of seven lakes, which are filled during the monsoon season. According to FPJ, the city's year water requirement is about 14.47 lakh ML, with storage typically peaking during the four-month monsoon period.
The Water stock as of April 27, 2026, stands at 28.79%, or about 4.16 lakh ML, which is expected to last until the end of July under current consumption levels. Due to El Niño influence, the monsoon during June and August is likely to be below normal, leading to increased evaporation. The city's lake generally gets full by August.
"In view of these factors, we are considering a water cut to extend the availability of current reserves till the end of August,” a senior civic official told FPJ.