The Hindu Business Line : Water storage level drops to single digit

According to the Central Water Commission data, the current level is 14.184 billion cubic metres (BCM) or nine per cent of the live capacity at the full reservoir level of 151.768 BCM.

During the corresponding period last year, the reservoirs’ storage level was 21 per cent of the full reservoir level. This is also lower than the average position of 14 per cent against the full level in the last years.

Going by the data, the storage position is not above 80 per cent of the full reservoir level in any of the reservoirs.

The level in Mahi Bajaj Sagar (Rajasthan), Dantiwada (Gujarat), Bhima, Yeldari and Isapur (all Maharashtra), Sriram Sagar (Andhra Pradesh), Krishnaraja Sagara, Kabini (both Karnataka), Kangsbati (West Bengal) and Gandhi Sagar (Madhya Pradesh) reservoirs is zero.

The position is below 10 per cent in Gobind Sagar (Bhakra), Pong Dam (both Himachal), Jhakam (Rajasthan), Maithon and Panchet Hill (Jharkhand), four reservoirs each in Orissa and Gujarat, two in Maharashtra, three in Madhya Pradesh, eight in Karnataka, Idamalayar (Kerala), Rihand (Uttar Pradesh), Tehri (Uttarakhand) and Vaigai in Tamil Nadu.

If the positions are to be taken basin wise (See Table), then the situation is worse in the Godavari.

Last year the storage position tended to improve during the same time. For instance, if the level was 20 per cent of the full level for the period ending June 18, 2008, it was 21 per cent the subsequent week.

Worsening situation

But this year, the situation seems to be getting worse. From being 10 per cent of the full reservoir level for the week-ended June 18, the storage position has worsened this week, declining by one more percentage point.

This is in line with the 54 per cent deficient monsoon rainfall up to June 25.

Though monsoon hit the shores eight days ahead, it has floundered since then.

State-wise the storage level is better than last year only in Chhattisgarh and Kerala.

Even in Kerala, the position in Periyar is bad than last year (15 per cent vs 83 per cent).

Poor pre-monsoon rains between March 1 and May 31 are also a reason for the low reservoir storage position.

Related Stories:
Hydel generation could trip as reservoir levels drop