Storage of important reservoirs in the country

Central Water Commission (CWC) under Ministry of Water Resources is monitoring storage position of 81 important reservoirs spread all over the country, of which as many as 36 reservoirs are having significant hydro-power benefits with installed capacities of more than 60 MW each. The combined live storage in these 81 reservoirs at the beginning of monsoon i.e. 1st June 2009 was 11 % of their designed capacity and stood at 62% of the designed capacity as on 29 October 2009. The present storage is 87% of last year’s storage and 93% of last 10 years average storage during the same period. Out of these 81 reservoirs there are presently 34 reservoirs where this year’s storage is 80 % or less than the average of previous 10 years and in remaining 47 reservoirs the storage is more than 80 % of the average of previous 10 years.

In order to derive the best possible benefits from the available water, Central Water Commission is keeping in touch with the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation and providing information of the weekly storage position to the Crop Weather Watch Group for evolving suitable crop strategies and also appraising the situation to various Departments and Ministries involved in Water Resources Planning.

Basin wise storage position as on October 29, 2009 is as follows:

The storage position in Narmada, Cauvery and East Flowing Rivers (EFRs) basins, Krishna and West Flowing Rivers (WFRs) of South basins are better than average of previous 10 years. Mahi basin and Mahanadi & Neighboring East Flowing Rivers are flowing close to normal and Ganga, Indus, Tapi, Sabarmati, Rivers of kutch and Godavari,basins are flowing deficient.

Out of 36 reservoirs with significant hydro potential, 20 reservoirs have storage build up less than the average of last 10 years capacity.

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SK/RS