Water Stock Low in Reservoirs of Central and Western Regions

18-May-2026 08:25 PM

New Delhi. Water levels in major dams and reservoirs across all five regions of the country have dropped significantly. While water stocks in the Northern, Southern, and Eastern regions have fallen to alarming levels, the water levels in the Western and Central regions remain relatively higher. A lack of rainfall and high temperatures continue to be a cause for concern across all regions.

A report by the Central Water Commission reveals that water stocks in the 53 major dams and reservoirs of the Western region have dwindled to 15.336 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM), which represents 40 percent of their total storage capacity of 38.094 BCM. Goa's sole reservoir, which was filled to 100 percent capacity in December 2025, is now two-thirds empty. The condition of dams in Gujarat and Maharashtra is also unsatisfactory; relative to their storage capacities, Gujarat's dams currently retain 38 percent of their water stock, while Maharashtra's reservoirs hold 29 percent.

The situation in the Central region largely mirrors that of the Western region. There, only 19.072 BCM of water stock is available across 28 major dams and reservoirs, constituting 39 percent of their total storage capacity of 48.588 BCM. While the six reservoirs in Chhattisgarh remain filled to 55 percent capacity, the water levels in Madhya Pradesh's 11 dams have dropped to 40 percent. Similarly, dams in Uttar Pradesh retain 37 percent of their water stock, while reservoirs in Uttarakhand hold 24 percent.

Relative to their total storage capacities, water stocks stand at 41 percent in the 11 reservoirs of the Northern region, 33.5 percent in the 27 dams of the Eastern region, and 25 percent in the 47 reservoirs of South India. Due to a deficit in rainfall and intense heat, water levels in dams and reservoirs across the country are expected to drop even further during the current week.