Live storage is 141 per cent of the live storage of the corresponding period last year
Total live storage in India’s 123 reservoirs has increased by 14.145 billion cubic metres (BCM) since the start of the monsoon, according to a bulletin released by Central Water Commission (CWC) on July 30, 2020.
The live storage available in India’s 123 reservoirs on July 30 was 69.982 BCM. It was 55.837 BCM, 33 per cent of the total live storage capacity, at the start of the monsoon season.
Currently, the live storage is 41 per cent of the total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The live storage in the corresponding period last year was 49.573 BCM. The average of the last 10 years’ live storage was 68.264 BCM.
Thus, the live storage available in 123 reservoirs according to July 30 was 141 per cent of the live storage of the corresponding period last year and 103 per cent of storage of the average of the last 10 years.
Out of 123 reservoirs, 71 reservoirs reported more than 80 per cent of normal storage and 52 reservoirs reported 80 per cent or below of normal storage. Of these 52 reservoirs, 13 had storage up to 50 per cent of normal storage.
Most dams now have more storage than they had last year during the same period.
The central region, comprising of 19 CWC-monitored reservoirs in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, had the highest live storage of 47 per cent against its capacity.
But in some of the meteorological sub-divisions that had low rainfall (80 per cent or less than 80 per cent of normal), the storage situation in reservoirs was also affected.
For example, in the east Rajasthan sub-division of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cumulative rainfall — from June 1-July 22 — was 32 per cent short of the normal rainfall. As a result, three of its reservoirs monitored by CWC showed between 21-43 per cent less storage from last ten year’s average.
Similarly, three reservoirs in Kerala, which has had a 25 per cent departure from normal rainfall, have a 27-46 per cent shortfall from the average storage of 10 years.
But with fresh rainfall predicted for Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the reservoirs in both states should have some cushion cover to take in more water as the current storage with respect to total capacity is between 20 and 30 per cent in Kerala and between two and 66 per cent in Tamil Nadu.
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.
.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.