Sharp Decline in Water Stock in Dams and Reservoirs

20-Mar-2026 11:08 AM

**New Delhi.** Due to the absence of—or negligible—rainfall across most parts of the country, water stocks in dams and reservoirs have plummeted to a concerning level.

Data from the Central Water Commission reveals that the total water stock remaining in the country's 166 major dams and reservoirs stands at 94.063 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM), which constitutes merely 51 percent of their total storage capacity of 183.565 BCM.

Even more concerning is the fact that in approximately 40 percent of these reservoirs, the water stock has dropped below the 50 percent mark.

Data from the Meteorological Department indicates that out of the 726 districts across the country from which weather-related statistics are collected, 78 percent experienced either no rainfall or only negligible precipitation between March 1 and March 16.

Similarly, a rainfall deficit has been observed in over 70 percent of the country's geographical area since the beginning of the current season.

Although light to moderate rainfall has been occurring in several parts of the country since March 16, it is doubtful that this will lead to any significant rise in water levels.