Water level improves in South India due to rains caused by Cyclone Fengal

13-Dec-2024 04:25 PM

The recent rains in South India, triggered by Cyclone Fengal and the north-east monsoon, have significantly improved the water levels in reservoirs in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

According to data from the Central Water Commission, the total water storage in 155 major dams and reservoirs across the country stands at 79% of their total capacity, which is 142.354 billion cubic meters (BCM). This is slightly better than last year and the 10-year average.

Despite the overall improvement in water storage, the situation varies by region. While the South Indian states have benefitted from the rains, 64% of districts in the country have experienced below-normal rainfall,

with many districts even facing a complete lack of rain from October 1 to December 12, 2024. This has contributed to a water shortage in the northwestern regions of the country.

The current water storage levels are enough to support the irrigation needs for Rabi crops, but there may be challenges in certain areas, especially as the Meteorological Department has predicted below-normal rainfall during the winter.