Dam and Reservoir Levels Rise with Steady Rains
18-Aug-2025 10:48 AM
New Delhi. Due to regular and heavy rains of southwest monsoon in different parts of the country, the water level in dams and reservoirs has increased to around 75 percent.
Rainfall is still continuing in many districts of Maharashtra including Nanded and Washim. Meanwhile, monsoon is active in the hilly states of northwestern India while it is also raining in the eastern states.
According to the report of the Central Water Commission, the water stock in 161 major dams at the national level has increased to 135.277 billion cubic meters (BCM) which is 74.13 percent of its total storage capacity of 182.496 BCM. This water level is 7 percentage points higher than last year and 24 percentage points higher than the 10-year average stock.
Data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that the southwest monsoon has been normal so far. At the national level, a total of 570.70 mm of rain has been recorded since June 1, which is almost equal to the long period average (LPA) of 572.80 mm.
But this time too, the distribution of monsoon rain is seen to be uneven. Out of the 723 districts of the country from which weather data is collected, at least 28 districts are still lacking rain.
The eastern and northeastern part of the country is the only area where so far about 16 percent less rainfall than normal has been recorded.
On the other hand, 15 percent more rainfall than the normal average has been recorded in northwestern India. Agricultural experts say that the water level in dams and reservoirs has increased to satisfactory level,
due to which sufficient amount of water will be available for irrigation of the current Kharif crops as well as the upcoming Rabi crops. Sowing of Rabi crops will start from October.
On the other hand, the production area of Kharif crops is about 4 percent ahead of last year. Due to continuous rains, the water level in dams and reservoirs is expected to increase further.
8 reservoirs of the country are filled with water up to their full capacity and the gates of many dams are being opened.
Flood situation persists in many areas due to which there is a possibility of damage to Kharif crops. Many dams and reservoirs have 80-90 percent water stock as compared to their storage capacity.