Water level in major dams and reservoirs fell below 60 percent

14-Feb-2025 12:15 PM

The situation regarding the water levels in major dams and reservoirs in India is quite concerning, as the country is experiencing significant rainfall deficits. Since the start of 2025, nearly 89% of the country has seen little to no rainfall, which has led to a drop in the water levels of reservoirs across various regions.

As of the latest data from the Central Water Commission, the water reserves in 155 major reservoirs are at 58% of their full capacity, amounting to 104.58 billion cubic meters (BCM) out of the total 180.85 BCM. However, this is still an improvement compared to the same time last year and the 10-year average.

The most affected areas are Punjab and Bihar, which have reported extremely low water levels in their reservoirs. Other regions like the eastern, northern, and southern parts of India are also facing similar issues, with water levels falling below 60% in many places.

In terms of rainfall, 51% of districts across the country did not receive any rainfall from January 1 to February 13, 2025.

Meanwhile, 38% of districts received much less rainfall than normal, affecting states like Bihar, Gujarat, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, which are all facing severe rainfall shortages.

The northern region, in particular, is struggling with a significant dip in water levels. The water storage in the reservoirs of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan is alarmingly low, with Punjab's reservoir holding only 13% of its capacity,

and Himachal Pradesh's at 26%. The northern region's total water reserves stand at just 32% of their capacity.