Water stock in dams and reservoirs 21% lower than last year

18-Sep-2026 11:59 AM

New Delhi: The latest weekly data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) reveals that while water stocks in the country's 178 major dams and reservoirs have improved to 131.17 billion cubic meters (BCM), the level remains approximately 21% lower than the 165.65 BCM recorded during the same period last year. Current water stocks represent 71% of the total storage capacity of these dams and reservoirs, yet this figure is about 9% below the 10-year average.

Water stocks in South India are reported to be significantly low due to insufficient monsoon rainfall. In the Northern region (Punjab, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh), 11 reservoirs hold 12.65 BCM of water, amounting to 63.8% of their total storage capacity; last year, storage levels there had reached 93.6%.

Similarly, 31 dams in Eastern India hold 16.04 BCM of water, representing 73.4% of their total capacity, compared to 78.5% recorded last year. Reservoirs in the Western region hold 83.4% of their capacity, despite some parts of Maharashtra receiving inadequate rainfall.