Water Levels in Over Half of Reservoirs Drop Below 40 Percent

01-May-2026 01:50 PM

New Delhi. Due to a lack of rainfall, rising temperatures, and regular water withdrawals, water levels in the country's reservoirs are continuously declining. The latest weekly data from the Central Water Commission reveals that in more than 50 percent of the country's 166 major dams and reservoirs, water levels have dropped below 40 percent of their total storage capacity. In South India, this figure stands at less than 30 percent.

According to the Commission's report, the total storage capacity of these 166 major reservoirs is 183.565 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM); however, currently, only 71.082 BCM—or 38.72 percent—of water stock is available. Only four reservoirs hold water reserves exceeding 40 percent. An interesting fact is that the current water level is 14 percent higher than during the same period last year, and 26.5 percentage points above the ten-year average. Last year, water levels had dropped significantly.

According to data from the Meteorological Department, between March 1 and April 29, 2026, rainfall was either absent or negligible across more than one-third of the country. However, pre-monsoon showers have now commenced, and their intensity is expected to be particularly high in South India. This year, the threat of the El Niño weather cycle persists, raising the possibility that rainfall during the Southwest monsoon season could fall below the normal average. The water stock in dams and reservoirs is not encouraging. This could heighten the risks for Kharif crops, the sowing of which is scheduled to begin in June.