Southern India’s Reservoirs Face Depleting Water Levels

November 18, 2023

The Central Water Commission’s recent report highlights growing concerns as water levels in reservoirs across southern Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, continue to decline. The collective storage capacity of 53.334 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM) is witnessing a sharp drop in reserves, sounding alarm bells for the region.

Present Reservoir Stocks

Downward Trend in Water Reserves

The CWC’s monitoring of 42 reservoirs in the southern states reveals a troubling trend. In September 2023, water stocks stood at 48% of the total storage capacity, dropping to 46% in October, and further plummeting to 44% in November. This starkly contrasts with last year when water reserves were at 87% around the same time.

State-wise Reservoir Stocks

Andhra Pradesh: -51%
Karnataka: -38%
Kerala: -16%
Telangana: +33%

Factors Contributing to Low Stocks

Erratic Rainfall and Climatic Conditions

Inter-seasonal rainfall variability during the southwest monsoon led to significant deficits in southern India. The region experienced normal or above-normal rainfall only during a brief period, resulting in a cumulative shortfall of 8%. October, a critical month for rainfall, saw the sixth driest conditions in 123 years, aggravating the water scarcity situation.

Impact of Cyclone Hamoon

Cyclone Hamoon’s development in the Bay of Bengal during the onset of the northeast monsoon further hampered rainfall activities, particularly over Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. The collective rainfall deficiency in south peninsular India reached 60%, amplifying concerns about water scarcity.

Urgent Areas Requiring Attention

Implications on Agriculture and Drinking Water

The depleting water reserves pose immediate threats to irrigated farming, especially high water-intensive crops like paddy cultivated in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The impact is expected to cascade to drinking water availability in the coming months.

Emerging Agricultural Crisis

Karnataka has already declared drought-hit talukas, signaling the onset of an agricultural crisis. As new state governments are set to be sworn in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, addressing the agricultural crisis triggered by water shortages becomes a critical challenge.

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