Water Levels in Dams and Reservoirs Rise Due to Monsoon Rains

28-Aug-2026 11:24 AM

New Delhi. Monsoon rains across various parts of the country have significantly improved water levels in dams and reservoirs. Data from the Central Water Commission indicates that water stocks in the country's 166 major dams and reservoirs have risen from 64 percent of total storage capacity last week to 68 percent this week; however, the levels remain 18 percentage points lower than the corresponding period last year and 3.74 percentage points below the 10-year average.

Regarding total storage capacity, water levels in 47 major dams in South India have improved from 56.22 percent last week to 57.34 percent, yet they remain 28 percentage points lower than last year and 13 percentage points below the 10-year average. Similarly, water storage in 11 reservoirs in the Northern region is 30 percentage points lower than last year. Deficient monsoon rainfall in the Northern and Southern divisions has kept water levels in dams and reservoirs low.

At the national level, monsoon rainfall up to August 27 was 13 percent below the long-term average. The monsoon progressed well in the Central division, where the rainfall deficit was recorded at only 2.1 percent against the normal average; however, during this period, rainfall was 27 percent lower in Northeast India, 22.4 percent lower in the Southern Peninsula, and 10.3 percent lower in the Northwest region. Of these 166 dams and reservoirs, water levels are higher than last year in only 45.