Combined storage in dams is at 63% of designed capacity

New Delhi, Sep 1 (UNI) The combined storage position in 81 major dams and reservoirs in the country stood at 63 per cent of their designed capacity as compared to last year's storage and 111 per cent of last 10 years average storage during the same period.

Central Water Commission (CWC) under Ministry of Water Resources which monitors the storage position of 81 important reservoirs spread all over the country, has concluded that the storage position in seven basins namely, Ganga, Indus, Narmada, Sabarmati, Mahanadi and neighboruing east flowing rivers, Cauvery and Krishna are better than average of previous 10 years. Mahi, rivers of Kutch and west flowing rivers of South are flowing close to normal while Tapi and Godavari are flowing deficient, a Water Resources Ministry release said.

The combined live storage in these 81 reservoirs at the beginning of monsoon on June 1 was 19 per cent of their designed capacity and stood at 63 per cent of the designed capacity as on August 28, 2008.

The CWC in order to derive the best possible benefits from the available water, keeps 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, the release said.

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