Amidst growing concerns over water scarcity, data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) reveals that more than half of India’s 150 major reservoirs are currently operating at less than 40% of their total capacity.
This worrisome trend is attributed to lower rainfall induced by El Nino, leading to drought conditions and an extended dry spell across Asia, exacerbated by warming Pacific Ocean temperatures. According to the CWC, approximately 60% of the country, particularly 53% in March alone, has experienced rainfall deficiency or complete absence since January. Despite a marginal 1% above-normal rainfall since March, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the post-monsoon period of October-December 2023 witnessed more than 50% of the regions in India facing rain deficiency.
As of the latest data, the available water level in major reservoirs stands at 67.591 billion cubic metres (BCM), marking a 16% decline compared to the same period last year and representing only 38% of the total live storage capacity. This situation is reminiscent of March 2019 when reservoir capacity plummeted to 35%, leading to severe water shortages in southern cities like Chennai. The dwindling water levels not only pose challenges for urban areas facing extreme heatwaves but also raise concerns for hydropower generation. With a looming summer expected to increase power demand, the strain on the electricity grid could further exacerbate the situation. Hydro power generation companies anticipate further impacts if rainfall remains deficient in the upcoming months.
Additionally, the declining reservoir levels may disrupt the summer crop sowing cycle in irrigated areas, potentially impacting the gross value added (GVA) growth of agriculture and allied sectors. In fact, recent data shows a contraction of 0.8% in farm GVA during the October-December quarter, the first decline in 19 quarters. Southern states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are among the worst affected, with reservoir levels significantly below normal. In contrast, Assam exhibits higher water levels, reflecting regional disparities in water availability. Overall, urgent measures are required to address the escalating water crisis and mitigate its adverse impacts on agriculture, power generation, and urban water supply across the country.
