India’s reservoir storage levels have seen a significant boost this year, surpassing the ten-year average by 14 per cent. The CWC’s assessment, which includes data from 155 major reservoirs across the country, indicates that current live storage stands at 130.800 billion cubic metres (BCM), representing 72 per cent of the total storage capacity.
The report, released on Friday, reveals a substantial improvement in water storage compared to last year’s figures. This year’s storage is 114 per cent of the 114.657 BCM recorded during the same period last year and 112 per cent of the average storage over the past decade. Regional discrepancies, however, persist. The northern region, which encompasses Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan, is experiencing lower-than-average storage levels. Reservoirs in this area are currently holding only 53 per cent of their capacity, a notable decrease from 84 per cent reported last year. This shortfall could potentially affect water availability in the coming months.
In contrast, the southern region, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, demonstrates a more positive trend. Reservoirs in this area are at 80 per cent capacity, a significant rise from last year’s 52 per cent. Similarly, the eastern region, covering Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar, shows improved storage levels, with reservoirs now at 60 per cent capacity, up from 43 per cent last year. The western region, which includes Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa, has also reported gains, with reservoirs reaching 74 per cent capacity, an improvement from 69 per cent last year. The central region, comprising Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, holds 76 per cent of total capacity, reflecting a moderate increase from 73 per cent last year and surpassing the 10-year average of 68 per cent.
The CWC’s report concludes that the overall water storage position is stronger than both last year’s levels and the decade-long average. This enhanced storage is expected to positively impact various sectors, including agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, and drinking water supply.
