New Delhi: Water storage in 178 key reservoirs across India has fallen to 70% of their total capacity, below the 10-year average of 76.62% and the 79% recorded during the same period in 2025, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC).
The figures come as the southwest monsoon approaches its September 30 withdrawal and coincide with drought declarations in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
South India faces the sharpest deficit, with reservoirs across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu holding just 50% of capacity, compared with 87.25% last year. The region has also received 23% below-normal rainfall.
Reservoir storage in northern India has declined to 62%, from 92.3% last year. The 58 reservoirs across Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa stand at 84.61%, compared with 95.79% in 2025, while 28 reservoirs across Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand hold 85.55%, down from 91.89%.
India’s overall rainfall was 12% below normal as of September 28, with major deficits recorded in June (-35.4%) and August (-16.3%). Prolonged dry spells and strengthening El Niño conditions have added to the uncertainty.
With the monsoon nearing its end, significant improvement in reservoir levels is unlikely this season, increasing the importance of water conservation, groundwater management, irrigation efficiency and demand-side water management ahead of the next rainfall cycle.
Source: The Indian Express