Storage in over 50 per cent of India’s 166 major reservoirs dropped below 40 per cent of their capacity last week, even as the overall level fell below 40 per cent of capacity, data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) showed.
The CWC’s weekly status on the major reservoirs showed that the level in the southern region dropped below 30 per cent.
The level in the 166 reservoirs was 38.72 per cent of the 183.565 billion cubic metres (BCM) capacity at 71.082 BCM, with storage in the remaining four above 40 per cent. Storage was, however, higher by 14 percentage points a year ago and 26.5 percentage points than normal (past 10 years).
Bengal situation precarious
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), over a third of the country received deficient or no rainfall from March 1 to April 29. However, pre-monsoon rainfall has begun to lash some parts of the country, particularly the south.
Storage in the southern region’s 47 reservoirs was 28 per cent of the 55.288 BCM capacity at 15.580 BCM. The level in Telangana was the lowest at 20.87 per cent, while it was 24 per cent in Karnataka. Andhra had the highest storage at 39 per cent, while it was 37 per cent in Tamil Nadu, and 28 per cent in Kerala.
With the level in Bengal declining to 12 per cent and in Assam to 18.5 per cent, the 27 reservoirs in the eastern region were filled to 34 per cent or 7.481 BCM of the 21.759 BCM capacity. Odisha’s dams were filled to 33 per cent, while Jharkhand’s were half-empty. The level in the lone reservoirs in Meghalaya and Tripura was 70 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively.
More decline likely
Storage in 11 reservoirs in the northern region was 43 per cent of the 19.836 BCM capacity at 8.593 BCM. The level in Punjab was 68 per cent, while in Himachal and Rajasthan, it was 36.6 per cent and 48.3 per cent, respectively.
Storage in the 53 reservoirs of the western region was 45 per cent of the 38.094 BCM capacity at 17.187 BCM. The level in Goa’s lone reservoir was 41 per cent, and in Gujarat and Maharashtra, it was 51.8 per cent and 39 per cent, respectively.
The 28 reservoirs in the central legion were filled to 45.7 per cent or 22.241 BCM of the 48.588 BCM capacity. Storage in Chhattisgarh was 59 per cent, while it was 47 per cent in Madhya Pradesh. In Uttar Pradesh, the level was 41 per cent, and in Uttarakhand it was 30 per cent.
With summer at its peak and heatwaves reported across various parts of the country, storage will likely decline further.
Published on May 1, 2026