The water storage situation in the country is increasingly coming under pressure and the signs of the crisis have become more apparent with the onset of summer. According to the Central Water Commission, the water available in 166 major reservoirs of the country has fallen below 40 percent of the total capacity. At the same time, a decline in water level has also been recorded in many major river valleys, due to which the possibility of deepening regional water imbalance has increased.
According to the weekly bulletin of the Central Water Commission, the total live storage in 166 reservoirs of the country has come down to 71.082 billion cubic meters (BCM), which is only 38.72 percent of their total capacity of 183.565 BCM. On April 9, 2026, this level was 44.71 percent, that is, a significant decline has been recorded in three weeks. These 166 reservoirs constitute about 71.20 percent of the total estimated water storage capacity of the country of 257.812 BCM. Of these, 20 reservoirs are connected to hydropower projects, with a combined capacity of 35.299 BCM.
Declining trend in river valleys also
According to the Central Water Commission, the water level in many major river basins has decreased compared to the beginning of April. The Ganga basin has fallen from 53.8% to around 50.01%. Godavari has declined from 47.58 to 40.69 percent and Narmada has declined from 46.09 to 38.82 percent. Krishna Basin was already in a weak position and still remains around 22.55%. Cauvery (now 35.74%) and Mahanadi (43.51%) have also recorded a decline, while the Tapti remains in a relatively balanced position.
80 percent less water than normal in 22 reservoirs
There has been a decrease in the reservoirs of Madhya Pradesh as compared to last year. Whereas in Goa, despite having only one major reservoir, a decline of more than 12 percent has been recorded there, which is an important sign in terms of local water availability. Critical situation in many major reservoirs: The water level in many major reservoirs of the country has reached extremely low levels.
Assam’s Khandong reservoir is at about 21.16 percent, while Jharkhand’s Chandan Dam is completely empty. Tattihalla of Karnataka is down 24.63, Periyar of Kerala 29.21, Vaigai of Tamil Nadu 15.17, Karayar 49.89 and Aliyar 48.89 percent. Out of the total 166 reservoirs, there are 22 such where the water level is 80 percent less than normal.
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