South, west India reservoirs fall below 10-year-average levels as rain plays truant

Deficient rainfall in the last few weeks has led to a huge shortage in the water storage levels in the country’s...

Deficient rainfall in the last few weeks has led to a huge shortage in the water storage levels in the country’s reservoirs with the river basins in southern and western India being badly affected.

Water levels in reservoirs in the Godavari basin were just 7.5 per cent of total capacity while those in Narmada were 9.14 per cent. Similarly, reservoirs in Kutch were holding only 13.5 per cent water, according to the latest data released by the Central Water Commission. Data for the last ten years show that at this time of the year, the corresponding average figures for this week were 27.5 per cent for reservoirs in Godavari basin, 16.14 per cent for rivers in Narmada basin and 26.2 per cent for those in the Kutch region.

Overall, water levels in the 81 reservoirs monitored by the Central Water Commission — so crucial to irrigation needs of the country — was 48.5 per cent of their total capacity in the week ending July 31, slightly lower than the 52 per cent average for the last ten years.

Story continues below this ad

This year’s storage levels are in sharp contrast to the previous year which had seen record levels of water storage in these reservoirs following a very good first half of monsoon season. At this time last year, the average storage in all these reservoirs was 83 per cent of the total capacity.

This year, May and June received exceptional rainfall but there has been a lull in monsoon rains after that. The situation has been particularly bad in the central and southern parts of the country where rainfall has been deficient by 20 to 50 per cent. Central Maharashtra, Saurashtra and Kutch, and most of Karnataka have been rain deficient for most of July.

The last few days have shown a revival of the monsoon in these areas, resulting in decent rainfall in many parts. However, there has not been much rainfall in the catchment areas of the reservoirs because of which the storage levels have continued to be low.

The 30 reservoirs in southern India showed an average storage levels of 46.3 per cent as compared to 78 per cent during this time last year. Similarly, the reservoirs in Gujarat and Maharashtra were holding only about 27 per cent water when last year the level was 58 per cent. Particularly bad was the situation in Dantiwada reservoir in Gujarat which had just 1 per cent storage level compared to 49 per cent last year. The storage in Girna in Maharashtra was four per cent of its capacity while it was 57 per cent during the same time last year.

Story continues below this ad

However, the reservoirs in the northern and eastern parts of the country were in much better shape, some having more water than even last year. Gobind Sagar in Himachal Pradesh was filled to 70 per cent of its capacity while Pong Dam was filled to 57 per cent. Last year, during the same time, the corresponding figures were 50 per cent for Gobind Sagar and 43 per cent for Pong. Similarly, Rana Pratap Sagar was showing 81 per cent storage level as compared to 69 per cent last year.

Reservoirs in Punjab, Jharkhand and Orissa too have good storage levels.

The latest forecast by the India Meteorological Department has brought some hope for the country`s reservoirs. The Met department has predicted good rainfall in Central India over the next few days. Peninsular India, particularly Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, are also likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coming week.