Water Levels in Dams Continue to Decline

05-Jan-2026 04:11 PM

New Delhi. Due to a lack of winter rainfall in most parts of the country, the water stock in 166 major dams and reservoirs has fallen to below 80 percent of their total storage capacity.

The good news is that the Meteorological Department has predicted above-average rainfall this month (January), which could lead to a slight increase in water levels.

Water levels in the western and central regions of the country are still above 80 percent, but they are below this level in the remaining regions. In the northern region, it has fallen to around 72 percent, while in the eastern region it is at 69.52 percent and in the southern peninsula at 73.75 percent.

In comparison, the dams in the central region have 80.40 percent and the reservoirs in the western region have 86.70 percent of their water stock available.

Currently, eight reservoirs in the country are completely full, while another 42 reservoirs have more than 90 percent water.

On the other hand, the water stock in 13 reservoirs has fallen below 40 percent. The remaining dams have between 40 and 80 percent of their water storage capacity.

The Meteorological Department has predicted a possibility of below-average rainfall at the national level during the January-March 2026 quarter, which will not only hinder the irrigation of Rabi crops but also further reduce the water stock in dams and reservoirs.

Cultivation of summer or Zaid season crops will begin in February, and it is essential that sufficient moisture is present in the soil at that time. This year, the El Niño phenomenon may affect the rainfall pattern during the monsoon season.