While two of the lakes had reached the lowest drawable level in the beginning of June, four lakes have now crossed that mark.

The lake levels as of Tuesday (see box) present a contrasting picture in comparison with the previous year. Last August, of the six lakes — Bhatsa, Modak Sagar (Vaitarna), Tansa, Upper Vaitarna, Vihar and Tulsi — that supply water to the city, only two were full due to the long dry spell in July. Usually, by August or September, the lakes are full to the capacity, supplying 3,400 MLD of water to the city.

Hydraullic engineer M M Kamble said the early monsoon has given a good start. “However, it will take more heavy rainfall to fill the lakes to their capacity. If it continues to rain regularly in the catchment areas—which is generally 2,000 mm in a day—then the lakes should be full by June-end,” he said.

Except for Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna, the remaining lakes have crossed their lowest drawable level.

Officer on special duty R R Hariname too said it’s good news that the lake levels were nearing maximum. “After a long time, the lake water levels are close to the maximum in the second week of June itself,” he said. “If the lakes get filled early, then that much more water can be used and the rainfall in August and September will help keep the lake levels at maximum and the water will be available longer,” he added.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is happy with the water situation as it may not have to resort to water cuts next summer unlike until monsoon last year, when it was unable to meet the demand with shortage in lake levels.