An aerial view of the Kabini Dam releasing water after the reservoir neared its full storage capacity following heavy monsoon rains, in Mysuru district, Karnataka, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026.
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Storage in four of five regions topped 60 per cent this week even as the overall level improved to 68 per cent, data from the Central Water Commission showed. However, 35 per cent of the 166 major reservoirs in the country are 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. The level in the major reservoirs increased to 125.299 billion cubic metres (BCM) of the 183.565 billion cubic metres (BCM) capacity. It is 18 percentage points lower than the year-ago period and some four percentage points than normal. Eight reservoirs - 5 of them in Maharashtra - are full, while the level in 40 is over 80 per cent. Among the five regions, storage is lower than 60 per cent of the capacity in the South. This year, storage has been lower due to a deficient South-West monsoon. As of August 17, the rain deficit was 13 per cent. With the monsoon likely to pause and El Nino strengthening, the level may come under pressure.Published on August 28, 2026
