Water Reservoirs in Crisis: Current Storage Levels Fall Short

Despite recent rains, water levels in India's main reservoirs are at 26% of total capacity—significantly lower than the previous year's 58.864 BCM. The Central Water Commission's report highlights regional disparities, with northern and eastern regions experiencing noteworthy shortfalls. Current storage stands at 46.311 BCM, posing potential challenges for water management and agriculture.

Amid heavy rains in various parts of India, water levels in 150 major reservoirs have increased to 26% of the total live storage capacity. This remains significantly lower than the same period last year, according to official data.

Last week's levels stood at 22%. The current live storage is 46.311 billion cubic meters (BCM), compared to last year's 58.864 BCM, as reported by the Central Water Commission (CWC).

The reservoirs, which together have a live storage capacity of 178.784 BCM, represent 69.35% of the country's estimated capacity. The available storage is only 79% of last year's levels and 90% of the normal storage calculated over the past decade. Northern regions like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan, and eastern regions, including Assam and Odisha, face marked decreases. The CWC's continuous monitoring aims to alleviate potential water scarcity challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)