Water levels in India’s 161 major reservoirs surged close to 52% of capacity, with the country receiving over 14% surplus monsoon rainfall so far.
According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), these dams as on Thursday were filled to nearly 52% of their combined capacity of 181.461 billion cubic metres (BCM) at 94.513 BCM.
The water levels were up over 95% on year, and 86% above the last ten-years average for this point of time.
At present, four dams are full in east, west and south regions, while 39 dams are filled between 81% to 99% of their capacities.
Out of the total 161 reservoirs, 145 reported more than 80% of normal storage and only 16 dams reported 80% or below of normal storage benchmark.
The water storage has improved across all the five regions, with the situation in the 45 dams in the south better than the rest. The level in the dams of southern India was over 61 of their capacities.
Similarly 50 dams in western regions – Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa, have water filled upto over 54% of their capacities.
“The overall storage position is better than the corresponding period of last year in the country and is also better than the normal storage,” according to a CWC statement.
The water level in dams are improving significantly with the revival of monsoon progress since June 16, so far cumulative rainfall during June 1 – July 10, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) was 283.6 millimeters, 14.2% over the benchmark – long period average (LPA) or surplus category.
The southwest monsoon (June-September) after its early onset over Kerala coast last month, has covered the entire country, nine days ahead of the normal schedule on June 29.
With the monsoon continuing to be in the ‘active’ mode in many parts of the country, the water levels in reservoirs is likely to improve further in coming weeks.
“Heavy to very heavy rainfall activity is likely to continue over northwest India during next 2-3 days and over central India during next 4-5 days,” according to IMD’s forecast on Thursday.
In May, IMD had reiterated its earlier forecast of ‘above normal’ monsoon rainfall at 106% of LPA during June-September this year.
There is also 90% chances of the rains being in the “normal-to-excess” range through the four-month (June-September) season, the met department has stated.
The sowing of kharif crops – paddy, pulses, oilseed and sugarcane – have commenced on a brisk note due to surplus monsoon rains. According to the agriculture ministry, area under kharif crops has crossed 43.74 million hectare (Mha), up 11% on year, as on July 4.