Monsoon Delay Deepens Mumbai’s Water Crisis, BMC Tightens Restrictions Across City

Mumbai: As Mumbai continues to endure soaring temperatures and humid conditions, the much-awaited southwest monsoon is unlikely to arrive for at least another week, according to meteorologists. The delay has prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to intensify water conservation measures as reservoir levels remain critically low.

Experts attribute the stalled monsoon to a combination of dry air intrusion, unfavourable wind patterns and the absence of supporting weather systems over the region.

Akshay Deoras, Senior Research Scientist at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Reading, UK, said emerging El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean are weakening monsoon winds and suppressing rainfall activity across the Indian subcontinent.

With no immediate relief in sight, Mumbai’s water reserves have come under increasing stress. As of Tuesday, the city’s reservoir stock stood at just 10.35%, barely sufficient to maintain the benchmark urban water supply of 135 litres per capita per day (LPCD).

BMC Tightens Water Conservation Measures

After implementing a 10% water cut from May 15, the BMC has now announced stricter restrictions to conserve potable water supplies.

The civic body has ordered a 20% reduction in water supply to industrial and commercial establishments as well as sports clubs. It has also decided to disconnect all water connections to construction sites and swimming pools and will not approve fresh water connections for construction projects until further notice.

In addition, water supply to packaged drinking water and aerated beverage manufacturing units will be restricted to meet only the drinking water needs of workers at their facilities.

The BMC has also directed operators of public toilets and community sanitation facilities to maximise the use of tanker water or borewell water wherever possible.

Further restrictions prohibit the use of treated drinking water supplied by the civic body for washing vehicles, watering gardens, cleaning roads or maintaining premises. Alternative water sources must be used for such activities.

Limited Impact on Some Sectors

Despite the restrictions, officials and industry representatives believe the impact on certain sectors may remain manageable.

A senior official from the BMC’s Hydraulic Engineering Department noted that only a limited number of swimming pools depend directly on municipal water supply because the network is primarily intended for drinking water distribution.

Rajesh Sawant, manager of the BMC-owned Ozone Swimming Pool in Goregaon, said the facility largely relies on rainwater harvesting.

“Only the bathrooms and toilets use BMC water. The swimming pool itself is not affected, but facilities that depend on potable municipal water could face difficulties,” he said.

Mumbai currently has more than 910 redevelopment projects and over 3,000 active construction sites. However, developers say ongoing projects are unlikely to face major disruptions.

Jitendra Mehta, Senior Vice-President of CREDAI-MCHI, said the real estate sector has experience dealing with similar situations.

“Construction activities largely depend on groundwater and other non-potable water sources. Drinking water is used only for labour welfare and essential requirements. Therefore, we do not foresee any major impact on construction timelines at present,” he said.

Echoes of Previous Water Crises

The current situation mirrors water shortages witnessed in 2014, 2023 and 2024, when delayed monsoons forced the civic body to impose water cuts.

In 2024, Mumbai first faced a 5% water cut at the end of May, which was later increased to 10% and remained in place until late July. In 2023, reservoir levels dropped below 10% capacity, prompting a similar reduction in water supply.

One of the most severe episodes occurred in 2014, when a particularly dry June forced the BMC to impose a 20% water cut before conditions gradually improved following monsoon rains.

Reserve Water Stock to Provide Temporary Relief

Amid growing concerns, the BMC has secured access to reserved water stock from the state government’s irrigation department. The civic body has received approval to draw 1,47,400 million litres from Bhatsa reservoir and 90,000 million litres from Upper Vaitarna reservoir.

A senior civic official said the reserve stock would begin to be utilised from next week, providing temporary relief until monsoon rains replenish the city’s lakes.

For now, however, Mumbai remains in a holding pattern—waiting for the monsoon clouds to arrive and ease pressure on its dwindling water reserves.

(With inputs from Hindustan Times)

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