The country’s reservoirs are running dismally low on water, a problem brought about by the scanty rainfall this year. Figures from the Central Water Commission (CWC)on Thursday said reservoirs are running at just 11% of their capacity.
The country’s reservoirs are running dismally low on water, a problem brought about by the scanty rainfall this year. Figures from the Central Water Commission (CWC) on Thursday said reservoirs are running at just 11% of their capacity, down from 25% last year and half of the ten-year average of 22%.
Southern parts are better off — but only comparatively. Reservoirs in the central, western, eastern and northern regions, deprived of rain, are running very low on water. Madhya Pradesh on Thursday became the first to officially declare itself drought-hit. In the northwest the rain deficiency gap has created major power and water problems.
Alarmed at the emerging scenario, the Centre is going to have a full scale review of the situation. Cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar will hold a meeting on July 15, the first crucial cut-off date for sowing.
The Centre is particularly worried about potable water, with ponds drying up in MP, East Rajasthan, Delhi, western parts of Uttar Pradesh and in some parts of Punjab and Haryana. The additional problem of depleted water reserves in dams and a shortage in power supply were also a cause for concern as they affect paddy transplantation and sowing of coarse cereals and oilseeds. Apart from rice, sowing of oilseeds and coarse cereals has been less than normal.
The rivers are also receding. According to a CWC report, the water level of the Ganga is declining. In Varanasi, Allahabad, Ballia, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Kannauj, and Kanpur (rural), water level is down 3.22m to 14.77m.
Worst-hit is western Uttar Pradesh, which has recorded 80% less rainfall than normal since June 1, followed by Delhi, which recorded a shortfall of 79%. The situation is also serious in Punjab and Haryana, which have received 71% and 62% less rains respectively.
The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has reduced water supply for irrigation to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. The board’s concern is to maintain water after the rainy season when reservoirs are filled but water levels are depleting. The board does not want a crisis after September 20.
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