Reservoir Storage Falls to 63% as South Runs Dry
Why in News?
- India's 178 major reservoirs lost about 5 billion cubic metres of water in a week, with storage at 63.25 per cent of capacity on 12 November 2026, Down To Earth reported on 13 November.
- The Central Water Commission bulletin shows national storage is 29.65 per cent lower than last year and 19.86 per cent below normal.
- Southern India is worst placed, with storage nearly 47 per cent below normal.
Key Terminologies
- Central Water Commission
- The apex technical body for water resources under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It issues a weekly bulletin on the live storage of major reservoirs across the country.
- Live Storage
- The volume of water in a reservoir that can be used, above the dead level. The bulletin compares it with last year and with normal, which is the average of the past ten years.
- Billion Cubic Metres
- A unit for large volumes of water. One billion cubic metres equals one cubic kilometre, and total usable storage of the 178 reservoirs is 184.762 billion cubic metres.
- Southern Region
- In the bulletin, the 50 reservoirs of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Their storage is 22.206 billion cubic metres, or 39.74 per cent of capacity.
- Below Normal Storage
- A measure showing how far current storage is from the average. National storage of 116.854 billion cubic metres is 19.86 per cent below the normal of 145.811 billion cubic metres.
- Drought Declaration
- A state government notification marking talukas or tehsils as drought-hit. Maharashtra declared 305 talukas in 33 districts on 14 October 2026, and Gujarat declared 80 tehsils in 14 districts as drought-affected.
- Monsoon Season
- The June to September rainy season that fills reservoirs. Storage in November reflects how much of it was held after the season.
Key Issues
- National Storage: Storage in the 178 major reservoirs fell from 121.926 to 116.854 billion cubic metres in a week, a fall of 5.07 billion cubic metres, and stands at 63.25 per cent of capacity.
- Comparison: It is 29.65 per cent below last year's 166.101 billion cubic metres and 19.86 per cent below the normal of 145.811 billion cubic metres.
- South India: The 50 southern reservoirs hold 39.74 per cent of capacity, and storage is 46.89 per cent below normal, with Andhra Pradesh at 27.54 per cent and Telangana at 33.49 per cent.
- Other Regions: North India stands at 55.19 per cent, Maharashtra at 71.63 per cent, Gujarat at 74.60 per cent and the east at 75.04 per cent, with Odisha at 81.60 per cent.
- Drought Notifications: Maharashtra declared 305 talukas in 33 districts drought-hit on 14 October, and Gujarat declared 80 tehsils in 14 districts drought-affected, 69 severely and 11 moderately.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- Early Warning: Weekly bulletins let governments plan water use for drinking, rabi crops and power before shortages grow.
- Wide Coverage: Data on 178 reservoirs gives a clear picture across regions and states.
- Healthy East: Eastern reservoirs near 75 per cent of capacity and close to normal show a strong buffer there.
- Policy Use: The figures help target drought relief and decisions on release of water.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- Rabi and Drinking Water: Low storage in the south can hurt rabi irrigation and raise the risk of drinking water shortages in summer.
- Power Generation: Hydropower plants depend on reservoir levels, so low storage can reduce output.
- Drought Stress: Drought declarations in Maharashtra and Gujarat show farmers are already under stress.
- Regional Divide: A 47 per cent shortfall in the south against near-normal levels in the east shows uneven water security across regions.
Key Initiatives
- Central Water Commission: It released its bulletin on 12 November 2026 with storage data for 178 major reservoirs.
- Maharashtra Government: It declared 305 talukas in 33 districts drought-hit on 14 October 2026.
- Gujarat Government: It declared 4 districts drought-hit and 80 tehsils in 14 districts drought-affected.
- Ministry of Jal Shakti: It oversees the commission that monitors reservoirs.
The Down To Earth article reported the bulletin figures and the drought notifications but did not describe central relief measures. The role of the Central Water Commission is standard background.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Know that the Central Water Commission issues a weekly bulletin on 178 major reservoirs.
- Remember the national figures: 116.854 billion cubic metres, 63.25 per cent of capacity, 29.65 per cent below last year and 19.86 per cent below normal.
- Note that the southern region is worst placed at 39.74 per cent of capacity and 46.89 per cent below normal.
- Recall the drought declarations in Maharashtra (305 talukas) and Gujarat (80 tehsils).
- Understand the terms live storage, normal storage and billion cubic metres.
- In answers, link reservoir storage with rabi irrigation, drinking water and hydropower.
The latest reservoir bulletin shows storage at 63.25 per cent of capacity, well below last year and normal, with the south facing the sharpest shortfall. Drought notifications in Maharashtra and Gujarat add to the stress. In a Mains answer, explain what the data show, discuss effects on irrigation, drinking water and power, and conclude that better water budgeting, efficient use and regional planning are needed to manage uneven water security.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water do India's major reservoirs hold in November 2026?
The 178 major reservoirs held 116.854 billion cubic metres on 12 November 2026, which is 63.25 per cent of capacity, according to the Central Water Commission bulletin reported by Down To Earth on 13 November. This is 19.86 per cent below normal.
Which region has the lowest reservoir storage?
Southern India has the lowest storage, with 50 reservoirs holding 22.206 billion cubic metres, or 39.74 per cent of capacity, and 46.89 per cent below normal. Andhra Pradesh stands at 27.54 per cent and Telangana at 33.49 per cent, Down To Earth reported.
Where has drought been declared in 2026?
Maharashtra declared 305 talukas in 33 districts drought-hit on 14 October 2026, and Gujarat declared 80 tehsils across 14 districts drought-affected, 69 severely and 11 moderately, according to the Down To Earth report of 13 November.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Central Water Commission issues a weekly bulletin on major reservoirs.
The bulletin covers 178 reservoirs.
2 Reservoir storage in southern India was above normal in November 2026.
It was 46.89 per cent below normal.
3 One billion cubic metres equals one cubic kilometre.
The total usable storage is 184.762 billion cubic metres.