Above normal rainfall since July has boosted water levels in the country’s 50 major reservoirs consistently for seven weeks, reports Sandip Das. For the second week in a row water levels in these dams stood above the previous year level. On Thursday, the water levels were up 11% on year, compared with up 6% on year a week ago. The reservoir levels are now 14% above the last ten-years average.
According to the Central Water Commission (CWC)’s weekly bulletin, the reservoir capacity is filled up to 69% currently, as against 65% a week ago. In the south (42 dams) and east (23 dams), dams are filled up 26% and 15% respectively higher than the previous year hanks to adequate monsoon rains. Dams in southern states currently have 79% capacity filled, as per CWC, which is an improvement from 77% a week ago. Only reservoirs (10 dams) are significantly below last year (-37%) and last 10 year average (-20%).
Earlier reservoir levels had dropped for 36 weeks in a row till June 26 because of deficient monsoon last season, scanty rainfall in winter months and prolonged heat waves earlier this year.
Reservoir water levels (% change)
| Regions | From last year | Against 10-year average |
| North | (-) 37 | (-) 20 |
| East | 15 | 3 |
| West | 4 | 11 |
| Central | 3 | 10 |
| South | 26 | 19 |
| All India | 11 | 14 |
Source: CWC, as on Aug 16, 2024
