The South-West monsoon may have been 22 per cent deficient last week and six per cent deficient overall this year. But that should be no cause for worry with regard to the water storage level in the 81 major reservoirs in the country.

According to the Central Water Commission, the storage level in the 81 major reservoirs is 74.168 billion cubic metres (BCM) or 49 per cent of the total capacity of 151.768 BCM.

Compared with last year's level of 53.562 BCM, this is 38 per cent higher. If the last 10 year's average of 57.133 BCM is taken then it is 30 per cent higher. However, the level in 29 of these major reservoirs is below 40 per cent. In the east, the level is below 40 per cent in 10 reservoirs and in the west, the storage is below 40 per cent in eight reservoirs.

Importantly, not a single reservoir is filled to capacity whereas during the same time last year, the Khadakvasla reservoir in Maharashtra was full. The storage in Dantewada (Gujarat) is almost zero. The level in Orissa's Indravati (5 per cent) is also precarious. In fact, the level in four of the eastern State'sreservoirs is lower than 10 per cent. In Maharashtra, the storage in Girna is five per cent. The central parts of the country seem to have had the best of benefits from the monsoon. The reservoir level in Uttarakhand is more than double compared with the same period a year ago, while it is nearly double in Madhya Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh, the other State in the region, has a water level that is 43 per cent higher than last year. South India is another region where the storage level in all States is higher than last year. Andhra Pradesh seems to have gained a lot with the water level in the State being 88 per cent higher.

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