The water level in India’s 155 major reservoirs continued to decline for the 13th consecutive week, indicating a grim situation in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Bihar, according to data from the Central Water Commission (CWC).
As per the CWC’s weekly report, the storage in the major reservoirs decreased to 64% of their total capacity, amounting to 114.914 billion cubic meters (BCM). While this level is 21 percentage points higher than last year, it is still 16 percentage points more than the 10-year average.
The decline in storage levels can be attributed to the deficient rainfall received in many regions across the country during the post-monsoon and winter periods. Approximately 60% of the country, particularly in the north-west and central parts, experienced deficient rainfall between October and December. Furthermore, 85% of the country witnessed either deficient or no rainfall during the current winter period.
Despite the concerning situation, the Agriculture Ministry has stated that the current rabi crop is unlikely to be affected at this time. They are closely monitoring the evolving weather conditions to assess any potential impact.
In the northern region, the reservoirs were only at 36% of their total capacity, with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh recording levels as low as 17% and 29%, respectively. Similarly, in the eastern region, the storage levels were below average. On the other hand, the western region had better storage levels, with reservoirs in Maharashtra and Gujarat at 76% and 75% of their capacity, respectively.
In the southern region, all states reported storage levels above 60%, with Tamil Nadu’s reservoirs filled to 84% capacity. Despite this, the IMD has not forecasted any significant rainfall activity in the coming weeks, which could lead to a further decrease in storage levels.
Overall, the data indicates a challenging water situation in India, requiring continued monitoring and management to ensure water security for agricultural and domestic purposes.
