Now Reading: India’s key reservoirs near 60% capacity; monsoon deficit narrows
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India’s key reservoirs near 60% capacity; monsoon deficit narrows
Water storage in India’s 166 major reservoirs rose to 59.44% of total capacity this week, with the overall volume at 109.112 billion cubic metres against 183.565 BCM capacity, according to Central Water…
The Story in Brief
Water storage in India’s 166 major reservoirs rose to 59.44% of total capacity this week, with the overall volume at 109.112 billion cubic metres against 183.565 BCM capacity, according to Central Water Commission data. All five regions reported levels above 50%, though 40% of the reservoirs are still filled below 40% of their capacity. Five reservoirs are brimming and another 17 are over 90% full.
The South-West monsoon remained mixed last week: rainfall was deficient in the southern peninsula, but normal or excess elsewhere except eastern Madhya Pradesh. The overall monsoon deficit has dropped to 12%. Heavy rainfall is forecast for Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, which could push storage higher in the coming days.
The Indian Opinion
News that reservoir storage has crossed 59% may sound like relief, but 40% of major dams are still less than 40% full. The northern and eastern regions are flush while the southern peninsula lags. The coming heavy rain in Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh will help, but it cannot mask the persistent deficit in the south. The real test will be whether the monsoon picks up over the Cauvery and Krishna basins in the next fortnight.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
