National Water Commission

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has reported an improvement in India's reservoir storage levels, with the total live storage in 155 monitored reservoirs reaching 98.974 billion cubic meters (BCM). This represents 55 per cent of their total live storage capacity, marking a 120 per cent increase compared to the same period last year and 116 per cent of the average storage over the past ten years, according to the weekly bulletin released by the CWC. In the northern region that comprises Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan, the reservoirs are holding 30 per cent of their total capacity, lower than last year's 40 per cent, indicating a deficit. While in the eastern region (Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura, Nagaland, Bihar), the storage level stood at 54 per cent, slightly below last year's 55 per cent and the normal 57 per cent. In the western region (Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa), the storage has surged to 67 per cent of the capacity, significantly higher than last

Amid heavy rains in different parts of the country, water levels in 150 main reservoirs of the country have increased to 26 per cent of the total live storage capacity, still lower than in the same period last year, according to official data. Last week, the water level was at 22 per cent. The current live storage stands at 46.311 billion cubic meters (BCM), which is 26 per cent of the total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. This is a significant drop compared to the same period last year, when the live storage was 58.864 BCM, according to Central Water Commission's (CWC's) Friday bulletin. The reservoirs being monitored have a combined total live storage capacity of 178.784 BCM, representing 69.35 per cent of the overall estimated live storage capacity in the country. Despite the extensive storage capacity, the current figures reveal that the available storage is only 79 per cent of last year's levels and 90 per cent of the normal storage, which is calculated based on the

Heatwaves similar to those experienced in May in India are almost 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the warmest heat waves previously observed in the country, according to a new rapid attribution study by an independent group of climate scientists and researchers. The analysts at ClimaMeter said the intense and prolonged heat wave India endured in May was a result of the naturally occurring El Nino phenomenon -- unusual warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean -- and the rapidly increasing concentration of greenhouse gases -- primarily carbon dioxide and methane -- in the atmosphere. The researchers analyzed how events similar to the high temperature in India's May heatwave changed in the present (20012023) compared to what they would have looked like if they had occurred in the past (19792001). "The temperature changes show that similar events produce temperatures in the present climate at least 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than what they would hav

Severe flooding has hit Kerala and Assam due to two cyclonic systems, according to the Central Water Commission which advised continuous monitoring and preparedness for further potential flooding. The Central Water Commission (CWC) has released its flood situation report, detailing significant rainfall and resulting severe flood conditions in various regions of India, with Kerala and Assam being the most affected. One cyclone over Arunachal Pradesh, combined with strong winds from the Bay of Bengal, has brought heavy rains to northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim. Another cyclone off the coast of south Kerala has caused heavy rainfall in Kerala. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more heavy rains, which are causing rivers in both regions to rise. The key rivers in Assam such as Subansiri, Jiabharali and Kopili are swelling, affecting the districts like Tinsukia, Darrang and Nalbari, the advisory said. Although some rivers like the Barak are see

According to industry experts, the government should revisit the Dam Safety Act, taking the climate change issues into account

Some major ghats have submerged due to rising water level in river Ganga, causing difficulties in performing puja and other religious events. The district administration said as Harish Chandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat have been inundated, last rites are now being carried out at relatively higher places. A control room number has been issued as there is a possibility of a flood-like situation. Forty relief camps are also being set up, it said. Officials are keeping a close watch on the colonies located on the banks of rivers Ganga and Varuna, it said. According to the Central Water Commission, river Ganga was flowing at 69.77 metre, while the danger mark is 71.262 metre.

The fifth and last in a series of weekly articles on the new National Water Policy

Advises against inter-linking of rivers