Storage in India’s 166 key reservoirs topped 60 per cent of the capacity this week, though 35 per cent of them were half empty.The level in the major reservoirs increased to 64.16 per cent of the 183.565 billion cubic metres (BCM) capacity at 117.773 BCM, data from the Central Water Commission showed. Five reservoirs are full, while the level in 20 others was over 90 per cent of the capacity. The level is, however, lower than last year by 18 percentage points and less than usual by 3 percentage points. Storage in reservoirs continued to rise as the South-West monsoon continued to be active, defying forecasts. As of August 20, the monsoon is 13 per cent deficient. The deficit is more in east and north-east at 26 per cent, followed by peninsular south at 22 per cent. A further rise in the reservoirs’ level is a low depression bringing rain in the eastern and north-eastern part of the country. We present the storage situation in the graphics below.Published on August 20, 2026