006. National | Agri
India Faces Reservoir Concerns Amid Deficient Rainfall: Agricultural Outlook Stable for Now
Introduction
India’s agricultural sector is navigating a period of concern due to declining water levels in major reservoirs across the country. The Ministry of Agriculture is closely monitoring the situation. While the current rabi crop remains largely unaffected, the sustained drop in water storage—especially in northern and eastern regions—raises questions about future cropping and irrigation needs.
Status of Reservoir Levels Across India
India manages 155 major reservoirs with a total capacity of 180.852 billion cubic metres. According to recent data:
- National average storage stands at 64% of total capacity
- This marks a 13-week continuous decline
- Despite the drop, current storage is:
- 21 percentage points higher than the same time last year
- 16 percentage points above the 10-year average
📉 However, regional imbalances are creating concern — particularly in the north and east.
Impact of Deficient Rainfall
The post-monsoon period (October to December) saw widespread rainfall deficiency:
- Nearly 60% of the country received below-normal rainfall
- Currently, 85% of India is experiencing either deficient or no rainfall
- Severely affected regions include:
- North-western states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab
- Central states such as Madhya Pradesh
This precipitation shortfall is a key contributor to falling reservoir levels.
Regional Breakdown of Reservoir Status
🧭 Northern Region
- 11 reservoirs hold just 36% of capacity
- Punjab: 17%
- Himachal Pradesh: 29%
- Rajasthan: Relatively better at 63%
🌾 Eastern Region
- 25 reservoirs at 61% capacity
- Bihar is critically low at just 24%
Western and Central India: Relatively Stable
Despite deficient rainfall, these regions show better storage levels:
🌅 Western Region
- 50 reservoirs at 76% capacity
- Maharashtra: 76%
- Gujarat: 75%
🏞️ Central Region
- 26 reservoirs at 66%
- Madhya Pradesh: Holds strong at 70%, despite rainfall shortages
Southern Region: Mixed but Resilient
The southern region shows moderate to strong performance:
- 43 reservoirs filled to 63%
- Tamil Nadu leads with 84%, helped by recent rainfall
- Andhra Pradesh: 75%
- Telangana: 70%
- Karnataka: 64%
Future Outlook and Monitoring
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not forecast rainfall in the coming weeks. This dry spell could:
- Lead to further declines in reservoir levels
- Begin to impact the rabi crop and future sowing decisions
- Stress irrigation-dependent regions more acutely
The Ministry of Agriculture continues to track the situation, preparing for policy responses and support measures if required.
Conclusion
While current crop conditions remain stable, the continued drop in reservoir storage due to deficient rainfall poses a growing risk to India’s agricultural ecosystem. Timely interventions, efficient water use, and close monitoring will be key to ensuring resilience as the country moves forward into the next cropping season.
