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M.R. Subramani

Chennai, Aug. 19 The revival of monsoon since the last week of July has helped improved the water storage level in 81 major reservoirs in the country but it is still lower compared with last year.

According to the Central Water Commission, the storage level in the major reservoirs as on August 14 was 74.304 billion cubic metres (BCM) against the live capacity of 151.768 BCM at the full reservoir level. This is 49 per cent of the full reservoirs level.

Last year during the same period, the reservoirs storage level was at 63 per cent of the full reservoirs level. A solace is the fact that this year’s level is 2 percentage points higher than the 10-year average level.

Experts say the storage level in the coming week could give an indicator of the exact inflow into the major reservoirs. The Mettur (Stanley) reservoir, for example, has begun to witness heavy inflow since last week and it could, perhaps, be reflected this week.

According to the Press Trust of India, the storage level in the dam as on August 18 was 64 per cent of its full reservoir level with daily inflow being 30,308 cusecs. But the commission’s report shows the reservoir level at only 26 per cent of the full level.

In fact, Mettur is benefiting from heavy rains lashing most parts of Karnataka, where, too, reservoirs have gained. In fact, the storage level in Kabini reservoir has improved to 93 per cent of the full reservoir level against 33 per cent a month ago. Last year, during the same period, the level was 96 per cent of the full level.

Monsoon, which was deficient until August 8, has also turned two per cent surplus as on August 14, adding further boost to kharif crop hopes.

The Water Commission’s data, on the other hand, also reflects how the storage level has improved in States such as Maharashtra. In the western State, the storage level in Koyna was just 33 per cent of the full level a month ago. Thanks to the rains in the last fortnight, it is now brimming fully with the level being 105 per cent of the full level and seven percentage points higher than a year ago.

In Orissa, too, the situation has improved drastically with the level in Hirakud being 63 per cent of the full level against 14 per cent a month ago.

In fact, the storage level situation has improved in almost all reservoirs barring a few such as Gandhi Sagar in Madhya Pradesh, Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Girna in Maharashtra and Dantiwada in Gujarat.

The monsoon’s revival is now seen auguring well for the rabi sowing starting October in view of the improved storage level and soil moisture.

More Stories on : Agriculture | Water

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