- This made Vihar Lake the fourth (or sixth, per some reports) of the seven key lakes supplying water to Mumbai to reach full capacity this monsoon. In the 24 hours before its overflow, Vihar Lake received 225mm of rainfall, significantly boosting overall city water reserves to over 92% of total capacity.
- Storage capacity: 2,769.8 crore litres (27,698 million litres).
- Overflowing brought relief to residents and confirmed adequate water supply ahead of the next dry season.
- The overflow, however, contributed to flooding in some areas as the Mithi River, originating from Vihar, also surged, leading to waterlogging and disruptions in parts of Mumbai.
About Vihar Lake
- Type: Man-made reservoir, built (1856–1860) by the British to address potable water shortages for South Mumbai.
- Location: Near Vihar village on the Mithi River within Borivali (Sanjay Gandhi) National Park, North Mumbai.
- Catchment: Receives water from Powai-Kanheri hill ranges.
- Comparison: The largest lake in Mumbai’s Salsette group; lies between Tulsi and Powai Lakes.
- City Role: After filtration at Bhandup plant, supplies about 3% of Mumbai’s potable water.
Summary:
- Vihar Lake’s overflowing in August 2025 signals positive water security for Mumbai after intense monsoon rains, but also underlines the city’s perennial flood management challenges.