One of the things that Mumbai, the country's financial capital, is known for is its heavy monsoon rains.
Mumbai depends on the monsoon rains to fill its seven lakes, which supply 3,800 million litres of water daily to 21.7 million Mumbaikars.
Four of the dams/lakes, namely Vaitarna, Tansa, Bhatsa and Modak Sagar are situated on the outskirts of Mumbai.
Three of the lakes, namely Vihar Lake, Tulsi Lake and Powai Lake, are located within the city.
Although monsoon rains are necessary to sustain Mumbai, excessive rainfall in some years has caused floods, disrupting road and rail traffic.
On July 26, 2005, the city received nearly 900 mm of rain in 24 hours, almost half of its annual average of 2,000 mm, causing the worst floods in the city’s history.
However, below-average rainfall causes water shortage in the city. Due to insufficient rain in 2023, the water stock in the city's lakes dipped to 7% in June 2024.
In the ongoing monsoon season, Mumbai has seen above-average rainfall, which has replenished water levels in the city's lakes.
As per the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, the water stock in the city's lakes was at nearly 74% as of July 29, 2024.