The Hindu Business Line : Water storage level turns grim

Chennai, June 19 The water storage level in the 81 major reservoirs in the country continues to recede. As on June 18, the live capacity of the reservoirs was just 10 per cent or 15.068 billion cubic metres (BMC) against the full reservoir level of 151.768 BCM.

The level is just half of what it was during the corresponding period a year ago, a tell-tale signs of the effects of monsoon that has stalled after hitting Indian shores at least a week ahead.

According to the Central Water Commission, the level is 5.709 BCM lower than the average storage recorded during the last 10 years.

In fact, if the irrigation system is to be taken into consideration, then the situation looks a bit scary. The average storage level in the 66 reservoirs with irrigation facilities is a meagre eight per cent.

Another indicator of the grim situation is that 11 reservoirs have no water at all. During the same time last year, only four reservoirs were without any water.

Again, the storage level is above 80 per cent in only 26 reservoirs against 62 reservoirs last year. The level in 20 reservoirs is between 50 and 80 per cent against nine last year and it is between 30 and 50 per cent in 10 reservoirs against five last year. The position in 14 reservoirs is lower than 30 per cent against two last year.

If the average water storage level during the last 10 years is taken into account, then the current position is only 73 per cent of it. During the same time last year, it was 143 per cent.

Since June 1, the country has received 45 per cent deficient rainfall with actual rainfall being 39.5 mm against the normal 72.5 mm. Only four of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions in the country have received excess rainfall, while another four have received normal rainfall.