Government Closely Monitoring Monsoon Rainfall and Dam Water Levels

09-Jul-2026 07:15 PM

New Delhi. The government is keeping a close watch on the status of the Southwest monsoon, water stocks in dams and reservoirs, the positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), atmospheric activity over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, and the sowing of Kharif crops. Indeed, positive signs are emerging that help alleviate growing concerns regarding the water crisis and potential drought conditions associated with the monsoon.

A low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal, which could help keep the monsoon active and dynamic. Marine conditions are also becoming favorable for the monsoon, so there is no cause for undue alarm. Although the monsoon rainfall belt may shift from central and western parts of the country to other regions in the coming days,

rainfall activity is expected to continue in some part of the country or another. That said, monsoon rainfall is currently significantly below the normal average in the eastern and northeastern states and the southern peninsula, while it has not yet reached normal levels in northwest India either; these regions still require rainfall.

As for water stocks in dams and reservoirs, they are currently hovering near normal levels. Uneven rainfall distribution has caused water levels to drop in some areas, though this could be replenished later. Among the 166 major dams and reservoirs monitored by the Central Water Commission, the water stock stood at 47.72 billion cubic meters (BCM) on July 2, 2026—very close to the normal average storage of 48.40 BCM for this period. However, the current stock is significantly lower than the 78.07 BCM recorded during the same period last year. A gradual increase in these levels is now expected.