Major reservoirs at 38% of capacity: Government data

KOLKATA: The country’s major reservoirs are at 38% of total capacity, latest government data shows. At 59.335 BCM, the available water in these reservoirs, as recorded on February 4, was about half the average capacity a year ago (78%) and the 10-year average of 76%.

The total capacity of the country’s 91 major reservoirs is 157.799 BCM, which is about 62% of the total storage capacity estimated to have been created in the country. Of these 91 reservoirs, 37 have hydropower plants which can together generate more than 60 MW of power.

Data shows that the water levels in reservoirs in the northern region, which includes the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan, are higher than a year ago, but still below the last 10-year average.

There are six reservoirs under Central Water Commission monitoring which currently hold 7.42 BCM or 41% of their combined capacity. The corresponding figure for last year was 38% while the 10-year average was 44%.

In the eastern region, which includes states of Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Tripura, there are 15 reservoirs under CWC monitoring which currently hold 9.77 BCM of water, or 52% of their combined capacity. The storage during the corresponding period of last year was 64% while the 10-year average was 59%.

In the western region, the 27 reservoirs under CWC monitoring together hold 9.14 BCM, or 34% of their combined capacity. The storage during the corresponding period of last year was 54% while the 10-year average was 60%.

In the south, which includes Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, there are 31 reservoirs under CWC monitoring which together hold 13.51 BCM, or 26% of their combined capacity. The storage during the corresponding period of last year was 37% while the 10-year average was 49%.

States where reservoirs hold more water than last year are Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura. States where the levels are similar to last year are Andhra Pradesh-Telangana (two combined project in both states).