India, June 27 -- Mumbai's water supply situation has become increasingly critical, with the combined stock in the city's seven key reservoirs falling to just 7.3 per cent of total capacity despite the onset of the southwest monsoon in Maharashtra.

The seven lakes that supply drinking water to Mumbai - Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Tansa, Tulsi, Modak Sagar and Vihar - remain heavily dependent on monsoon recharge. However, rainfall in the reservoirs' catchment areas has so far been insufficient to significantly improve usable water reserves.

The latest storage figure marks a further decline from earlier estimates that placed the combined stock between 8 and 10 per cent, underscoring the growing pressure on the city's water re...