Water storage in reservoirs across key agricultural states like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu is currently lower than it was at this time last year. Rivers such as the Krishna, Cauvery, and other east-flowing rivers between the Mahanadi and Pennar are also experiencing a water deficit in their basins compared to normal levels. However, rivers including the Ganga, Subarnarekha, Brahmaputra, Barak and others, Brahmani and Baitarni, Narmada, Tapi, and Sabarmati have reported better water availability in their basin areas.
As per the reservoir storage bulletin dated 24th May, issued by the Central Water Commission (CWC), water available in the 150 reservoirs across the country is 43.293 BCM, which is 24% of the total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. Last year the live storage available in these reservoirs for the corresponding period was 55.037 BCM, which means water availability is down by more than 10 BCM in the current year compared to the last year’s corresponding period.
In the Northern region, water available in the reservoirs is 5.554 BCM which is 28% of the total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during the corresponding period of last year was 37%.
In the Eastern region, water available in the reservoirs is 6.013 BCM which is 29% of the total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during the corresponding period of last year was 26%, continuing the trend of higher water in the reservoirs.
In the Western region, water available in the reservoirs is 9.400 BCM which is 25 % of the total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during the corresponding period of last year was 29%.
In the Central region, water available in the reservoirs is 14.871 BCM which is 31% of the total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during the corresponding period of last year was 38%.
In the Southern region, water available is 7.455 BCM which is 14% of the total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during the corresponding period of last year was 25%, indicating an acute shortfall in water in the Southern reservoirs.
