India’s 178 major reservoirs lost about 3.49 billion cubic metres (BCM) of water in seven days and now hold 66.70 per cent of their live storage capacity, according to the Central Water Commission. The national number hides a sharp regional divide, with southern India far behind last year’s levels.
Key takeaways
- Storage in the 178 reservoirs fell from 126.717 BCM on 15 October to 123.228 BCM on 22 October, a drop of 3.489 BCM.
- The reservoirs now hold 66.70 per cent of their combined live capacity of 184.762 BCM, down from 68.58 per cent a week earlier.
- The 50 reservoirs monitored in southern India hold just 42.34 per cent of capacity, compared with 89.35 per cent at the same time last year.
- Several dams in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Marathwada, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are reporting low levels.
One week can change the picture quickly. Here is what the latest Central Water Commission (CWC) figures show, and where the pressure is greatest.
The national picture
According to the CWC’s report, the 178 reservoirs it monitors held 126.717 BCM of water on 15 October 2026. By 22 October, that had fallen to 123.228 BCM, a decline of 3.489 BCM in seven days.
Their combined live storage capacity is 184.762 BCM. On 22 October they were 66.70 per cent full, compared with 68.58 per cent a week earlier.
Southern India: far below last year
The sharpest shortfall is in the south. The 50 major reservoirs the CWC monitors across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana held 23.659 BCM on 22 October. That is 42.34 per cent of their combined live capacity of 55.879 BCM. A week earlier they held 24.760 BCM, so they lost 1.101 BCM.
The comparisons are stark:
- Last year: The same reservoirs held 89.35 per cent of capacity at this point in 2025.
- 10-year average: Current storage is 35.60 percentage points below the 10-year average of 77.94 per cent.
Dams with the lowest levels in the south
| State | Reservoir | Share of live storage |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | Aliyar | No live storage available |
| Tamil Nadu | Karaiyar | 12.75% |
| Tamil Nadu | Sholayar | 19.58% |
| Tamil Nadu | Manimuthar | 19.87% |
| Tamil Nadu | Mettur | 21.19% |
| Tamil Nadu | Vaigai | 24.42% |
| Tamil Nadu | Lower Bhavani | 27.78% |
| Kerala | Periyar | 28.90% |
| Telangana | Nagarjuna Sagar | 29.68% |
| Telangana | Sriram Sagar | 44.65% |
| Kerala | Karapuzha | 48.61% |
Marathwada: some of the lowest readings
In Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, four major reservoirs are each holding less than a quarter of their live capacity:
- Manjra Dam: 7.74 per cent
- Lower Dudhna: 15.97 per cent
- Lower Terna: 19.43 per cent
- Majalgaon: 23.21 per cent
The state as a whole looks healthier. Its 38 monitored reservoirs held about 16.37 BCM against a combined capacity of 20.366 BCM, or about 80.4 per cent, on 22 October. Between 15 and 22 October, storage fell by 0.340 BCM, and the share of capacity filled slipped from 82.05 to 80.38 per cent. The Maharashtra government has declared drought in parts of the state.
Gujarat: wide differences between dams
Gujarat’s 19 monitored reservoirs have a combined live capacity of 18.013 BCM. About 13.939 BCM was available on 22 October, which works out to roughly 77 per cent. Storage fell by 0.289 BCM, or 289 million cubic metres, between 15 and 22 October.
The gap between individual dams is large:
- Low: Bhadar Dam at 17.78 per cent, Dantiwada at 21.90 per cent and Machhu-1 at 22.71 per cent
- Middle: Sabarmati at 47.35 per cent and Kadana at 52.79 per cent
- High: Ukai at 74.82 per cent and Sardar Sarovar at 99.44 per cent
- Full: Shetrunji Dam
Central and eastern India
Parts of central and eastern India are also below last year’s levels and, in several places, below normal.
- Madhya Pradesh: Omkareshwar Dam held 15.38 per cent, while Gandhi Sagar was at 66.76 per cent and Barna at 65.98 per cent.
- Rajasthan: Jawai Dam held 12.44 per cent.
- West Bengal: Hinglo Dam was at 10.66 per cent.
- Bihar: The Badua and Chandan dams were holding less than half their normal storage.
What the numbers do and do not say?
The national figure of 66.70 per cent looks comfortable on its own. The regional data tells a different story, because a full dam in one state cannot supply a dry basin in another. The southern states, where storage is less than half of last year’s level, and the Marathwada reservoirs show where water availability is under the most strain.
These figures are a snapshot of one week and do not, on their own, forecast shortages. The CWC’s next weekly report will show whether the decline continues at the same pace.
Frequently asked questions
How much water did India’s major reservoirs lose in a week?
- The 178 reservoirs monitored by the CWC lost 3.489 BCM between 15 and 22 October 2026, falling from 126.717 BCM to 123.228 BCM.
What share of capacity are India’s reservoirs holding?
- They held 66.70 per cent of their combined live storage capacity of 184.762 BCM on 22 October, down from 68.58 per cent a week earlier.
How are southern India’s reservoirs doing?
- The 50 reservoirs monitored in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana held 42.34 per cent of capacity, compared with 89.35 per cent a year ago and a 10-year average of 77.94 per cent.
Which reservoir has the lowest level in the data?
- Aliyar in Tamil Nadu had no live storage available. Among the others listed, Manjra Dam in Marathwada held 7.74 per cent, Hinglo Dam in West Bengal 10.66 per cent and Jawai Dam in Rajasthan 12.44 per cent.
Is Maharashtra’s overall reservoir storage low?
- Not overall. Its 38 monitored reservoirs held about 80.4 per cent of capacity, but several Marathwada dams are well below 25 per cent, and the state has declared drought in parts.
