Water stocks in dams and reservoirs have declined slightly

26-Sep-2025 08:47 PM

New Delhi. Latest data from the Central Water Commission shows that water stocks in 161 major dams and reservoirs across the country declined slightly during the current week to 89.5 percent of their total storage capacity, but more than 50 percent of the dams still have water levels above 90 percent.

According to the Commission's weekly report, the total storage capacity of these 161 dams and reservoirs is 182.496 billion cubic meters (BCM), while the total water stock in them is 163.337 BCM.

For the third consecutive week, water stocks in dams and reservoirs across three of the country's five divisions remained above 90 percent of their storage capacity. Water stocks in dams are 3.5 percent higher than last year's level and 15 percentage points higher than the 10-year level.

According to the Commission's report, 11 dams in Maharashtra, 5 in Madhya Pradesh, 4 in Rajasthan, 3 in Jharkhand, 2 in Gujarat, and one each in Telangana, Mizoram, and Goa are filled to their full capacity. Consequently, sufficient water may be available for irrigation of various crops in the upcoming Rabi season.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), during the current southwest monsoon season, from June 1 to September 25, the national level received approximately 7 percent more rainfall than the long-term average.

During the period under review, the northwestern part of the country received 28 percent more rainfall than the normal average, while the central region received 12 percent more rainfall.

Similarly, South India recorded an 8 percent surplus rainfall, while the eastern and northeastern states received 19 percent less rainfall than the normal average.

With sufficient water in dams and reservoirs and abundant soil moisture, the outlook for Rabi crops may improve.