Mumbai: Modak Sagar Lake, one of the seven lakes supplying water to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) area, started flowing at 2:07 am today (July 23, 2026). The BMC’s Hydraulic Engineering Department said that a gate of the lake has been opened. The water level in the reservoir has increased rapidly due to continuous, heavy rainfall in the areas occupied by the lakes over the past few days. The maximum water storage capacity of Modak Sagar Lake, which started flowing from tonight, is 12,892.5 crore litres (128,925 million litres). In previous years, Modak Sagar Lake started flowing on July 9, 2025, July 25, 2024 and July 27, 2023.

The total maximum water storage capacity of the seven dams supplying water to Mumbai is about 1,44,736.3 crore litres (1,447,363 million litres). As of 6:00 AM today, the total water storage in all seven lakes is 1,00,943.2 crore litres (1,009,432 million litres). This water storage is 69.74% of the maximum water storage capacity of the lakes, which is 1,447,363 million litres.

Additional Information
1) The Modak Sagar Project, built on the Vetarna River in Shahpur taluka of Thane district, is a key water source meeting the drinking water needs of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

2) The construction of the project was completed in 1954, and it is managed by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

3) Located 120 km from Mumbai, the project has a structure length of 548.64 metres and a height of 82.296 metres.

4) The total catchment area is 450.625 sq km, and it contributes 11.22% to the total water supply provided to Mumbai.

5) Out of the seven lakes supplying water to the BMC area, Modak Sagar Lake has started flowing from today. Ahead of this monsoon season, Tansa Lake started flowing at 8:51 am on July 22, 2026. ‘Vihar’ Lake started overflowing at 9:00 pm on July 7, 2026, and ‘Tulsi’ Lake also started flowing at 11:43 pm on the same day (2026). Thus, as of July 23, 2026, four of the seven lakes supplying water to the BMC area have filled and overflowed.

Mumbai, July 23: In a joint press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray on Thursday came together to sharply criticise the NDA government at the Centre over the ongoing NEET exam paper leak controversy and the police action against protesting students in Delhi. They also announced a joint protest march on July 26.

Announcing the major political and social mobilisation, both leaders declared that they will lead a massive non-partisan protest march in Mumbai on Sunday, July 26, starting from Shivaji Park (Shivtirtha) to the Siddhivinayak Temple.

Drawing parallels to past political resignations — including former Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil’s exit following the 26/11 attacks — Raj Thackeray asserted that accountability must start at the top.

He stated that the issue has crossed Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and now directly reaches Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Raj Thackeray condemned the Centre’s refusal to hold dialogue with protestors, citing previous instances like the farmers’ agitation, the Manipur crisis, and the Ladakh protests.

“Farmers were dying earlier; now students will be forced to commit suicide. What kind of arrogance of power is this that the administration refuses to listen to anyone?” he asked.

He noted that had the NDA government initiated talks with the students over the NEET paper leaks, the hunger strike by educator and innovator Sonam Wangchuk and the protest by the Cockroach Janata Party would not have happened.

Promising a peaceful protest, Raj Thackeray warned that if any attempt is made to infiltrate or disrupt their rally like in New Delhi, their supporters would take strict action.

Uddhav Thackeray condemned the police action against student protestors in Delhi, alleging that young women were beaten with nail-embedded batons and had their clothes torn.

He questioned how individuals in civil attire were handed police batons to suppress the agitation.

Expressing deep frustration over the response from the judiciary, Uddhav Thackeray stated that the courts seem to have time for minor issues like stray animals and pigeons, but fail to deliver timely justice to students facing severe state pressure.

Calling the current administration “merciless,” he urged citizens and political leaders across the board to stand up for the country’s youth.

Both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray stressed that the rally will carry no political party flags— only the Indian National Flag will be displayed. They said the students, parents, Opposition leaders (including MVA allies) and any citizens concerned with the students’ future can participate in Sunday’s march.

MUMBAI PRESS BUREAU
July 15, 2026
DELHI — In a major administrative development, the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has officially conferred special detaining authority powers upon the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980.
According to an official notification issued by the Home (Police-II) Department of the Delhi Gazette Extraordinary on July 15, 2026, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena exercised powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 3, read with clause (e) of Section 2 of the National Security Act, 1980, after expressing satisfaction that such a measure is necessary.
NOTIFICATION DETAILS AT A GLANCE:
Gazette: Delhi Gazette: Extraordinary (Part IV)
Order No: F.No. 2/1/88/HP-II/Pt.-I/ e-Office No.280430/1346-1349
Issuing Authority: By Order & Name of Lt. Governor (Ramesh Kumar, Dy. Secy. Home-III)
Date of Issue: July 15, 2026
Effective Period: July 19, 2026 to October 18, 2026

Three-Month Special Provision
The issued notification directs that for a period of three months—from July 19, 2026, to October 18, 2026—the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, is authorized to exercise the powers of a detaining authority under sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the National Security Act, 1980. “The Lt. Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi is satisfied that it is necessary to do so… during the period 19/07/2026 to 18/10/2026 the Commissioner of Police, Delhi may also exercise the powers of detaining authority under sub section (2) of the section 3 of the aforesaid Act.” Extract from the Delhi Gazette Order

Background and Significance
Under the National Security Act, 1980, a person can be detained to prevent them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the defense of India, the relations of India with foreign powers, the security of India, or the maintenance of public order and essential services.
While detaining powers under Section 3 typically rest with District Magistrates or State Governments, the provisions allow the Lt. Governor or State Government to temporarily delegate these preventive detention powers directly to the chief of police in metropolitan regions to handle law and order effectively. The standard practice in the national capital involves periodic updates to these powers to maintain administrative preparedness and public safety.