Good rain in August fills up reservoirs to normal levels

Data as on August 30 shows that total water storage in these reservoirs is 94.042 billion cubic metres (BCM) as against the full capacity of 154.421 BCM. This works out to be 61 per cent of the total capacity,which is the average level at this time of the year. Last year,the storage at August-end was about 74 per cent of the total capacity.

The last week of August received the best countrywide rainfall of this season. The rainfall was 6 per cent more than average. As a result the rainfall deficiency has come down to 12 per cent,from 22 per cent at the end of July. The Met department has forecast fairly widespread rainfall in the first week of September in most parts of the country though it is likely to decrease in northwest India and south peninsular region. The continuing rainfall is likely to feed the reservoirs as well.

As many as 51 of the 84 reservoirs have storage levels that are below their normal at this time of the year. However,the shortfall is more than compensated in the remaining 33 reservoirs which have very good water levels.

In particular,reservoirs in southern states — Andhra Pradesh,Karnataka,Kerala and Tamil Nadu — and those in Maharashtra are running below their normal storage at this time of the year. All 16 reservoirs in Andhra Pradesh,Kerala and Tamil Nadu have water levels below the normal.

While only three of the 14 reservoirs in Karnataka — Linganamakki,Vanivilas Sagar,and Almatti — are running above the average levels,in case of Maharashtra,only two — Pench and Upper Wardha — out of 12 reservoirs in the state are running above the average levels. Incidentally,Karnataka and Maharashtra are reeling under drought-like agricultural conditions.

But reservoirs in central region — Uttar Pradesh,Madhya Pradesh,Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh — are above normal levels. Though Gujarat and Rajasthan also had drought-like situation,the August rainfall has ensured that the reservoirs have filled up to near normal levels,CWC data shows.

Basin-wise,seven of the 12 major basins — Indus,Sabarmati,rivers of Kutch,Godavari,Krishna,Cauvery and west-flowing rivers of South — have water levels below average for this time of the year.