At 70%, India’s water reserves at 10-year low

As the southwest monsoon season concludes on September 30, water reserves in 178 reservoirs across India have dipped to 70% of their capacity, according to a report by the Central Water Commission (CWC). This is lower than the 10-year average of 76.62%. The situation is particularly alarming in south, east, and northern India, where 92 reservoirs have seen their storage fall below the expected levels.

South India, comprising Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, has the lowest water reserves, holding only 50% (27.926 billion cubic meters), compared to 87.25% last year. This region received 23% less rainfall than normal as of September 28, as per India Meteorological Department (IMD) data. The monsoon, responsible for delivering over 70% of India's annual rainfall, is crucial for replenishing water reservoirs and surface water bodies.

In the eastern region, 31 dams have 16.157 BCM of water, or 73% of their storage capacity. The eastern and northeastern regions have experienced a seasonal deficit of 25%. Northern India, with 11 dams in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan, has seen its water reserves drop from 92.3% last year to just 62% this year (12.431 BCM).

The El Nino phenomenon, a natural ocean-atmospheric event in the Pacific Ocean, is believed to be contributing to the erratic rainfall and higher temperatures observed during the monsoon season. The CWC has noted that the 58 dams in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa are operating at 84.61% capacity, down from 95.79% last year. In Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the 28 dams hold 85.55% of their capacity, compared to 91.89% in 2025.

As of September 28, India has received rainfall 12% below the normal, with deficits noted in June (-35.4%), August (-16.3%), and minimal improvement by September 01-28 (-5%). The end of the monsoon season leaves little hope for a significant improvement in reservoir stocks this season.