Low water storage in the country’s reservoirs is a matter of concern. According to CWC, out of 166 reservoirs in the country, the storage in 54 is less than 80 percent of the normal condition. The main reason behind this is the lack of rainfall even during the monsoon season. In the last one week i.e. from 16th to 22nd July, there was almost normal rainfall in the entire country, in which only 1% deficiency was seen, i.e. there was decent rainfall.
But in the entire monsoon season i.e. from June 1 to July 25, there has been overall 15% less rainfall.
According to the latest report of the Central Water Commission, the total water storage in 166 big reservoirs of the country is 36% less than last year. Also, it is much below the normal level. There is 70.43 BCM water in these reservoirs. This is only 38.37% of their full capacity. Last year at this time there was 110.52 BCM water.
54 reservoirs less than 80% of normal
According to CWC, out of 166 reservoirs, 54 have less than 80 percent of the normal storage water. Of these, 22 reservoirs have half or less water left than normal. These include important water bodies like Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Tungabhadra, Krishnaraja Sagar, Periyar, Tawa, Va.
Biggest crisis in South India
The condition of reservoirs in South India is worst. The 47 big reservoirs there are currently filled with only 30% water. Last year at this time there was 69% water. Normal level should be 44%. That means the reservoirs of South India are filled with very little water at this time. The situation is bad in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. The situation is worst in Telangana. The water in the reservoirs there is 57% less than normal.
Water reserves in Mumbai’s reservoirs reach 86.18%
The effect of continuous heavy rains is now clearly visible in the catchment areas of the seven reservoirs that supply water to Mumbai. Giving relief to Mumbai, the total useful water stock in all seven reservoirs has increased to 86.18 percent. The most important thing is that Bhatsa reservoir, which fulfills the largest part of the city’s water needs, is also filled by more than 85 percent.
According to the data released by the Water Engineer Department of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, a total of 12 lakh 47 thousand 291 million liters of useful water stock is available in the seven reservoirs.
The condition of the reservoirs is as follows –
Upper Vaitarna 72.34%
Modak Sagar 100%
Tansa 98.85%
Central Vaitarna 85.24%
Bhatsa 85.07%
Vihar 100%
basil 100%
By the end of June the water level in the reservoirs was quite low due to the slow onset of monsoon. But due to heavy rains in the catchment areas for the last few days, the water in the reservoirs has increased rapidly and the total water stock has now crossed 86 percent.
Bhatsa reservoir, which provides more than half of Mumbai’s total water supply, is currently 85.07 percent filled with 6 lakh 9 thousand 983 million liters of water. According to the Meteorological Department, due to continued rain in the catchment areas, the remaining reservoirs are also likely to be completely filled soon.
Leave a Reply