Overall storage still less than normal in seven states
Above-normal rainfall in many states has increased the live storage in 107 reservoirs in India to 73 per cent of the total capacity from last week’s 64 per cent, according to a weekly bulletin by Central Water Commission (CWC) released for the week through August 22, 2019.
The live storage improved to 121.865 billion cubic metre (BCM), a jump of 15.174 BCM from last week. Two weeks ago, when it had been a month since the monsoon began, the cumulative live water storage in the country’s 91 reservoirs was just at 17 per cent.
The overall storage was better than the corresponding period last year (101.045 BCM) and the average storage of last 10 years in this period (96.053 BCM).
However, reservoirs in seven states — Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Nagaland, and Chhattisgarh — still hold less water than their normal storage levels.
Water levels in reservoirs in Telangana showed the highest departure from normal storage — 53 per cent — an increase from last week's 45 per cent, according to the bulletin. It was followed by Uttar Pradesh (35 per cent) and West Bengal (31 per cent).
The situation at Omkareshwar dam in Madhya Pradesh continues to be grim with zero per cent live storage, while seven others have less than 50 per cent storage.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, the country has received 10 per cent surplus rainfall last week (August 15-21). As a result, all river basins, with the exception of Sabarmati, have better than normal storage position. But, 2019 monsoon has been the slowest progressing one in at least 12 years, data from the IMD showed.
These include Ganga, Indus, Narmada ,Tapi, Mahi, Rivers of Kutch, Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi and neighbouring East Flowing Rivers (EFRs), Cauvery and neighbouring EFRs and West Flowing Rivers of south.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
India Environment Portal Resources :
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.