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Our Bureau

Chennai, July 3 The water storage level in the 81 major reservoirs in the country remained critical but showed marginal improvement this week.

According to the Central Water Commission, the level was 14.318 billion cubic metres (BCM) on Thursday against 14.184 BCM last week.

This is 9 per cent of the live capacity at the full reservoir level of 151.768 BCM.

Last year during the same period, the live storage level was 22 per cent of the full reservoir level.

The average level of the last 10 years is 17 per cent.

Though the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the monsoon has covered all parts of the country, it will take a while before the storage level of the reservoirs improves.

The level is likely to improve next week.

On Friday, IMD said the monsoon covered the entire country 12 days ahead of schedule.

However, it has reported a 46 per cent deficient rainfall during June 1-July 2.

Basin-wise, the water level in Godavari is still negative, while it is near zero in Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, Sabarmati and Rivers of Kutch.

The level is zero in Mahi Bajaj Sagar (Rajasthan), Dantiwada (Gujarat), Gandhi Sagar (Madhya Pradesh), Sriram Sagar (Andhra Pradesh), Krishnaraja Sagara and Kabini (both Karnataka).

Except for Gerusoppa (Karnataka), the level is below 50 per cent of the full reservoir level in almost all reservoirs in the South. A similar situation prevails in the central, northern and western regions.

One of the reasons for the low storage level is that pre-monsoon rains were below normal.

Most parts of the country witnessed a prolonged dry period of almost six months until the monsoon set in on May 24, eight days ahead of schedule.

After that, it remained dormant before gathering pace last week. Below normal rainfall and lower storage levels have affected kharif sowing.

Barring cotton and maize, the acreage in most crops is lagging.

More Stories on : Water | Climate & Weather

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