Thanks to Cyclone Fengal, storage up in Tamil Nadu, Andhra

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The storage in reservoirs in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh improved this week, thanks to rains under the influence of Cyclone Fengal. However, the level in the 155 major reservoirs of the country dropped by two percentage points to 80 per cent of the capacity, data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) showed. 

The major reason for the storage dropping is that 63 per cent of the country’s 720 districts received deficient or no rainfall between October 1 and December 4, data from the India Meteorological Department showed.

CWC’s weekly bulletin on the storage in the 155 major reservoirs showed that the level declined to 145.416 billion cubic metres (BCM) against the 180.852 BCM capacity. The level was, however, higher than the same period a year ago and the normal (last 10 years level).

Aids rabi sowing

The higher level in the reservoirs has helped increase sowing of rabi crops this year.  The level in 20 reservoirs has dropped below 50 per cent of the capacity compared with 18 a week ago. However, 18 reservoirs are full — unchanged from last week. 

Though the storage dropped in the southern region by one percentage point, the level in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh was up. The level in the 43 reservoirs of the region was 83 per cent (84 per cent last week) of the 54.634 BCM capacity at 45.292 BCM.

In Tamil Nadu, the storage improved to 91 per cent (86 per cent) of the capacity, while in Andhra Pradesh it was up at 81 per cent (80 per cent). The level was unchanged in Telangana and Kerala at 99 per cent and 75 per cent, respectively, and  it was 85 per cent (86 per cent) in Karnataka.

The storage in the 11 reservoirs of the northern region was down to 56 per cent of the capacity at 11.026 BCM of the 19.836 BCM. The level in the lone reservoir level in Punjab dropped to 28 per cent (30 per cent). In Himachal Pradesh, it fell to 49 per cent and in Rajasthan to 86 per cent. 

Best storage

The storage in the eastern region’s 25 reservoirs was unchanged at 72 per cent of the 20.798 BCM capacity at 14.908 BCM. The level in Bihar and Nagaland was lower at 33 per cent and 55 per cent, respectively. Tripura, Bengal, Assam, Odisha and Jharkhand had storage above 70 per cent. 

The western region continued to boast the best storage in the country with its 50 reservoirs filled to 91 per cent of the 37.357 BCM capacity at 34.138 BCM. Goa’s lone reservoir was full and the level in Gujarat and Maharashtra was 88 per cent and 94 per cent, respectively. 

The 26 reservoirs in the central region were filled to 83 per cent of the 48.227 BCM capacity at 40.052 BCM. The level in Uttar Pradesh was 65 per cent, while it was 68 per cent in Chhattisgarh. In Madhya Pradesh, the reservoirs were filled to 89 per cent and in Uttarakhand the storage was 86 per cent.

With the IMD forecasting no rain over the next few days, the reservoir level will likely drop.