Mumbai: The Hydraulic Engineer’s Department has reported a significant rise in lake levels supplying water to Mumbai, with total water stock across the seven major lakes reaching 96.74% of their full useful capacity. As of 6:00 AM on August 27, 2025, the combined storage stands at 14,00,219 million litres, a healthy sign for the city’s water supply for the upcoming months.

Middle Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tulsi, and Vihar lakes are already at 100% storage capacity, with Bhatsa at 95.52% and Upper Vaitarna at 96.60%. The Tansa lake, which saw a minor drop of 0.01 meters in the last 24 hours, remains at a high 99.10% of useful content.

Middle Vaitarna’s gates were opened on August 18, and Upper Vaitarna began releasing water from August 21. These timely measures help regulate overflow and prevent flood risks in the surrounding areas.

Rainfall data shows continued precipitation, with Middle Vaitarna recording 22 mm and Upper Vaitarna 43 mm in the past 24 hours. The total rainfall recorded across all lakes this season so far is 2383.00 mm, with Bhatsa and Tulsi receiving the highest 2467 mm and 3474 mm respectively.

The steady inflow and rainfall ensure that Mumbai is well-positioned to avoid any water cuts this year. Civic authorities remain vigilant, continuously monitoring levels to ensure optimal water management as monsoon conditions persist.

Mumbai Rains Hit Till September 1

Mumbai is preparing for Lord Ganesha’s arrival on August 27, with the IMD forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the day, prompting a yellow alert for potential waterlogging and traffic disruptions during Ganesh Chaturthi. Commuters should use public transport and leave early to avoid delays. Weather predictions suggest intermittent rains with accumulations of 5–35 mm. The week will see cloudy skies and varying temperatures from 24°C to 28°C, with repeated heavy showers expected impacting crowd management and travel.

Palghar: A tragic building collapse late Tuesday night in Palghar district’s Virar claimed two lives and left several injured, with rescue operations still underway. Officials confirmed that the rear portion of Ramabai Apartment, a four-storey building, crumbled around 11:30 pm, crashing onto an adjoining chawl and trapping multiple residents under debris.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire Department, and Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation teams launched a joint rescue operation soon after the incident. NDRF Deputy Commander Pramod Singh stated that two NDRF teams, one each from Mumbai and Palghar, were deployed to the site immediately after receiving the alert at midnight.

“Two teams of the NDRF responded to the accident site. One team is from Mumbai and one is from Palghar. As soon as the information was received at 12 am, the nearest team responded. In the primary manual and canine search, four people were pulled out. Among them, one was dead, and three were rescued alive. A one-year-old child died on the way to the hospital. 11 people have been rescued so far.”

“The locals say that around 5 people may still be trapped… The rescue may continue today and tomorrow. All the work has to be done manually as the way to the building is narrow and heavy machinery cannot be brought here…” NDRF Deputy Commander Pramod Singh said, adding that the narrow lanes made it impossible to deploy heavy machinery.

So far, 11 individuals have been rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals in Virar and Nala Sopara. The deceased have been identified as 24-year-old Aarohi Omkar Jovil and one-year-old Utkarsha Jovil.

The injured include Prabhakar Shinde (57), Pramila Shinde (50), Prerna Shinde (20), Vishakha Jovil (24), Manthan Shinde (19), and Sanjoy Singh (24). Others like Pradeep Kadam (40), Jayashree Kadam (33), and Mitali Parmar (28) were discharged after receiving first aid.

Authorities fear more casualties as search and rescue continues under challenging conditions. The collapse has once again raised questions over the safety of old residential structures in the rapidly growing Vasai-Virar region.

Muslim cemetery trusts have complained about problems arising due to rainwater accumulation in the burial grounds in Mumbai during funerals.

Member of Legislative Assembly, Raees Sheikh, has written to the municipal commissioner, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, about the problem during rains.

Shaikh said that various cemeteries in Mumbai are experiencing severe waterlogging during the monsoon season, creating inconvenience to mourners. “Due to this, relatives as well as grave diggers are facing extreme difficulties while performing the last rites, and it is often difficult to perform the burial ceremony on time,” said Shaikh who specifically named Narialwadi cemetery, Mazgaon; Bada Kabrastan, Marine Lines; Deonar cemetery in Govandi; and Rafi Nagar cemetery, Govandi.

Shaikh urged the BMC to take permanent and effective measures for drainage system, water pumping system and cleanliness to prevent rainwater from accumulating in the above cemeteries.