The Hindu Business Line : Storage level in major reservoirs lower than last year

Chennai, July 17 The reality of an erratic monsoon is sinking in. Nothing illustrates this better than the storage levels in the 81 major reservoirs. A consolation, though, is that the situation is better compared with the average level during the last 10 years.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the storage level in the reservoir as on July 11 was 38.44 billion cubic meters (BCM) against 56.30 BCM during the same period a year ago. In terms of percentage, the reservoir levels are 68 per cent compared to last year’s situation and 120 per cent taking into account the average position in the last 10 years.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the storage position in 53 reservoirs are above 80 per cent of the full storage level, while it is between 50 and 80 per cent in 15 reservoirs. In seven reservoirs, the level is below 30 per cent of the full level.

However, the levels in Dantiwada (Gujarat), Sholayar (Tamil Nadu), Upper Kolab (Orissa), Jhakam (Rajasthan) and Upper Indravati (Orissa) are below 30 per cent of normal level and in three reservoirs – Sriramsagar (Andhra Prades), Bhima (Ujjani) and Yeldari (Maharashtra) are empty or have no live storage.

Truant monsoon

A close look at the data of the Central Water Commission shows that things are not bright and with monsoon playing truant in some parts of the country, there is cause for worry.

For example, in the North itself, the levels in Thein (Punjab) is two percentage points lesser than what it was last year.

Again in Orissa, where rice is one of the main kharif crops, the storage level in Hirakud is lower than the average level during the last 10 years. Four of the seven reservoirs in that State witness a fall in the storage level.

Gujarat, in fact, seems to potray the problem that is on the Government’s hands. Except for Daman Ganga, the storage levels in all the reservoirs are lower than last year. This is seen as one of the reasons for cotton and oilseeds lagging behind a bit. This western State has emerged as the top cotton grower in the last three years, account for nearly one-third of the natural fibre’s production.

Similar is the case in Maharashtra. In fact, the storage levels in all the reservoirs are lower compared with last year. And the levels in seven of them are at their 10-year low. Maharashtra is another State that emerged as key one for soyabean, cotton, pulses and, more importantly, onion. With many farmers in that State shifting to soyabean from cotton, the lower storage levels and poor monsoon have only complicated things.

Worrisome

The storage level in Madhya Pradesh, the soyabean hub of the country, is also precarious. Though the situation is somewhat better in Banasagar, the levels in Gandhi Sagar, Tawa and Bargi besides Indira Sagar are worrisome.

In the South, one redeeming feature is that the levels in Nagarjuna Sagar is better than last year, thanks to some untimely rains during the early part of the year. It should also come as some relief for Karnataka, which has not benefitted much from this year’s monsoon.

Related Stories:
Water harvesting network mooted for rainfed agriculture
Reservoir levels above average

More Stories on : Agriculture | Water

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page