Bhopal: The consistent monsoon showers gracing the capital have initiated a welcome, albeit modest, increase in the water level of Bhopal’s Upper Lake, often referred to as the city’s lifeline. While the rise is currently incremental, experts anticipate it will take until August or September for the lake to reach its full reservoir level (FRL), a pattern consistent with historical data.
Currently, the Upper Lake’s water level stands at 1660.20 feet. This is still some way off its Full Tank Level (FTL) of 1666.80 feet. The dead level, below which water cannot be drawn, is 1652.00 feet, indicating a comfortable margin for now. Further contributing to the lake’s replenishment, the Kolans River, a significant feeder, is currently flowing one foot above its normal level.
Water management experts point out a notable trend: in the past 18 years, the Upper Lake has never reached its FTL in July. This historical context suggests that the current gradual increase is typical for this time of year, with the primary filling period usually extending into the latter monsoon months. The city last experienced flood-like conditions on August 13, 2006, highlighting the importance of reaching the FTL for sustained water supply without posing a flood risk.
