Optimum Water in Reservoirs
- October 4, 2021
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Optimum Water in Reservoirs
Subject – Geography
Context – After one of the driest Augusts ever, a rainy September has left the country’s 130 major reservoirs with more water than what is normal at this time.
Concept –
- Bountiful rain in September has ensured that the water levels in India’s main reservoirs are back to their optimum levels. As on September 30, the 130 major reservoirs of the country together had water more than what is considered normal at this time of the year.
- Water from these reservoirs is crucial for the needs of irrigation, drinking water and hydro-electricity through the winter months, when most of the country receives very little rainfall.
- Incidentally, the wide fluctuations in the rainfall during this monsoon season had only marginal impact on the reservoir levels.
- According to the latest figures released by the Central Water Commission (CWC), the 130 major reservoirs are currently holding about 138 billion cubic metres of water, which is about 80% of their combined capacity. At this time of the year, these reservoirs are expected to hold about 132 billion cubic metres.
Regional variations –
- The water levels in the reservoirs vary from region to region.
- The reservoirs in the northern and eastern states are at lower than normal, while those in southern and western states have stored higher than normal.
- The central region, which includes Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, are showing normal levels in their reservoirs.
- The biggest deficiency is being seen in Punjab, where the Thein dam, the only one from the state in the list of 130, is, as of now, storing 40% less than normal.