Water Stock in Dams and Reservoirs Continues to Decline

17-Apr-2026 11:14 AM

New Delhi: The latest data from the Central Water Commission reveals that the water stock across 166 major dams and reservoirs nationwide has dropped to 78.481 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM), which constitutes 42.5 percent of their total storage capacity.

In four out of the country's five regions, water levels currently stand below 50 percent. According to the Commission, however, the current water levels are 16 percent higher than those of the previous year and 27 percentage points above the ten-year average.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), between March 1 and April 16, 2026, 30 percent of the country's 725 districts received either no rainfall or only negligible amounts. Prior to this, during January and February 2026, more than 70 percent of the country experienced a deficit in winter rainfall.

While some parts of the country received sporadic rainfall from mid-March through the first week of April, this was insufficient to replenish the water stock in the dams and reservoirs.

The sowing of Kharif crops is set to commence in June, and forecasts suggest that the Southwest Monsoon is likely to be weak this year. Under these circumstances, the dwindling water levels in dams and reservoirs could give rise to a complex and challenging situation.