A recent report by the Central Water Commission (CWC) has revealed a concerning decline in the water levels of India's 150 main reservoirs, which have dropped to 23% of their total capacity. This is a significant decrease from last year, with the current levels being only 77% of those recorded during the same period in 2023. The live storage available now is 41.705 billion cubic meters (BCM), down from 53.832 BCM last year and 44.511 BCM of the normal storage.
Key highlights from the report include:
1. **Overall Decline**: The total live storage available is 23% of the total capacity, significantly lower than the 38% recorded during the same period last year. The current storage is only 77% of last year's levels and 94% of the normal storage.
2. **Regional Analysis**:
  - **Northern Region**: Includes reservoirs in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan with a combined live storage capacity of 19.663 BCM. The current storage is 5.864 BCM (30% of total capacity), down from 38% last year.
  - **Eastern Region**: Comprising Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura, Nagaland, and Bihar, with a total capacity of 20.430 BCM. The available storage is 5.645 BCM (28% of total capacity), slightly above the normal storage of 26%.
  - **Western Region**: Includes Gujarat and Maharashtra, with a capacity of 37.130 BCM. The current storage is 8.833 BCM (24% of total capacity), down from 28% last year but better than the normal storage of 23%.
  - **Central Region**: Includes Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, with a capacity of 48.227 BCM. The current storage is 14.046 BCM (29.1% of total capacity), lower than last year's 37%.
  - **Southern Region**: Encompasses Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, with a capacity of 53.334 BCM. The current storage is 7.317 BCM (14% of total capacity), significantly lower than last year's 24%.
3. **Basin-wise Storage**:
  - **Better than Normal**: Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra, Brahmani and Baitarni, Narmada, Tapi, and Sabarmati basins.
  - **Close to Normal**: Subarnarekha, Barak, Mahi, Godavari, Mahanadi, west flowing rivers of Kutch and Saurashtra including Luni, west flowing rivers from Tapi to Tadri, and west flowing rivers from Tadri to Kanyakumari.
  - **Deficient**: Krishna, east flowing rivers between Pennar and Kanyakumari, and Cauvery basins.
  - **Highly Deficient**: East flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Pennar basins.
The report underscores the urgent need for effective water management strategies, especially as the country grapples with the challenges posed by climate change and increasing water demand. The significant drop in reservoir levels could impact agriculture, drinking water supply, and overall water security in the affected regions.
