Storage in India’s 178 major reservoirs declined further this week, with the level above 80 per cent of the capacity only in the central region, data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) showed.

CWC’s weekly status on the major reservoirs showed that storage dropped this week to 67 per cent of the 184.762 billion cubic metres (BCM) at 123.228 BCM. This was 26.5 percentage points lower than a year ago and 18.5 percentage points below normal (last 10 years average).

Water levels in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were worrisome with the dams in the State filled to less than one-third of their capacity. Overall, the southern region storage was 42 per cent of the 55.879 BCM capacity at 23.659 BCM.

The number of reservoirs filled to capacity declined to 11 this week, with Jharkhand accounting for the four of them. Aliyar dam in Tamil Nadu continues to be empty. Of the other 8 reservoirs in Tamil Nadu, storage in six was below one-fourth of the capacity.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the South-West monsoon ended 15 per cent deficient. Post-monsoon, rain from October 1 to 21 was deficient in 75 per cent of the 734 districts. 

The IMD has predicted rain in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra and Keralam until early next week. Eastern parts will also likely receive precipitation. This could help improve storage in the southern region.

We present the situation below in graphics.

Published on October 22, 2026