The Hindu Business Line : Water storage level in reservoirs improves

Chennai, July 9 The water storage level in the 81 major reservoirs in the country improved this week, thanks to the advancing monsoon, but it still was over 50 per cent below last year’s level.

Water level

According to the Central Water Commission data, the storage level till Thursday was 16.003 billion cubic metres (BCM) against the full reservoir level (at live capacity) of 151.768 BCM. During the same time last year, the level was 37.301 BCM, while the average during the last 10 years has been 32.996 BCM.

In terms of percentage, the current level is 11 per cent. However, the situation is better compared with last week when it was nine per cent or 14.318 BCM.

The water situation has improved rapidly since last week with only four reservoirs reporting zero storage level. These are Kangsbati (West Bengal), Dantiwada (Gujarat), Bhima and Yeldari (both Maharashtra). The situation is likely to witness further improvement with monsoon lashing Maharashtra and other central parts of the country this week.

Meteorological data

According to the India Meteorological Department, monsoon was eight per cent deficient for the week-ended June 8.

But for the June 1-July 8 period, the deficiency slid to 36 per cent against 46 per cent for the week ended July 1.

The north-western parts – comprising western Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and the Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh, received deficient rainfall during the period.

Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and the Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh received scanty rainfall.

However, according to the data, 19 of the 36 meterological sub-divisions have received deficient rainfall this year, while it has been scanty in six.

Normal rainfall has been reported in nine sub-divisions, while only two regions (Lakshadweep and Andaman Islands) have got excess rainfall.

A prolong dry spell since December and poor pre-monsoon showers are seen as reasons for the lower storage levels.

May affect crops

The deficient rainfall and low storage level could affect sowing of kharif crops such as rice, maize, pulses and oilseeds.

The storage level in Krishnaraja Sagara and Kabini in the Cauvery delta improved this week.

The rise will help paddy, maize and sunflower.

The level in Mettur and Vaigai has also increased, giving hopes to paddy farmers in Tamil Nadu.

Gujarat still continues to be a source of worry as the level barring Kadana (41%) and Panam (22%) is below 10 per cent in the reservoirs. The same holds good for Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal.

Basin-wise, Godavari is still a cause for concern (see table) as also the Narmada and rivers of Kutch.

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