As peak summer drains 21 billion cubic metres in a single month, critically stressed dams rise to 15 — and South India is down to just 17.55% storage.

Water Levels Fall Sharply Across Country

The country's water reserves are under serious strain as summer reaches its most punishing stretch. According to the latest figures from the Central Water Commission, live storage across India's 166 major reservoirs stood at just 45.419 billion cubic metres by the final week of May — representing 24.75% of total capacity. At the start of the month, those same reservoirs held 66.830 billion cubic metres, or 36.41% of capacity. The arithmetic is stark: roughly 21.411 billion cubic metres drained away in a single month.

Officials attribute the sharp fall to soaring temperatures and mounting consumption across sectors. The depletion comes at a moment of heightened anxiety over water security. A day before the Commission released its latest data, the India Meteorological Department issued a warning about elevated drought risk linked to El Niño conditions — adding fresh urgency to what had already become a closely watched situation.

Critical Dams Rise From 11 to 15

At the start of May, conditions appeared relatively stable. Around 112 of the country's major dams were holding water above normal thresholds. But as temperatures climbed through the month, that picture deteriorated steadily. By the last week of May, the number of dams classified as severely depleted or critically distressed had increased from 11 to 15. For those tracking water availability ahead of the kharif sowing season, that number is a concern.

There is some cushion, for now. Storage levels remain marginally above both last year's corresponding figures and the ten-year average for this time of year. But the pace of depletion, rather than the absolute level, is what has water managers watching closely.

South India Down to 17.55%

The most troubling situation is playing out in southern states, where reservoirs have fallen to critical levels. In the first week of May, South Indian reservoirs had 26.83% of their combined capacity. By the final week, that had dropped to 17.55% — a decline that has pushed Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh into acute scarcity.

The region, which depends heavily on reservoir storage for drinking water, agriculture, and power generation, is heading into the crucial pre-monsoon weeks with depleted reserves. Local authorities in several districts have already confirmed tightened water distribution schedules.

Some Dams Completely Dry

In pockets of Maharashtra and Bihar, conditions have moved beyond distress into outright depletion. Bhima Ujjani Dam in Maharashtra and Chandan Dam in Bihar have both shown zero percent storage from the beginning of May right through to its close. Sources familiar with the situation in those areas say water-sharing arrangements and emergency supply measures are being explored, though no formal announcement has been made at the state level.

Power Generation Under Pressure

The crisis is not limited to drinking water and agriculture. Of the country's 20 major hydroelectric projects that draw from monitored reservoirs, 8 were already operating below normal storage thresholds at the start of May. By month-end, 6 of those projects had slipped into critical condition, raising the possibility of reduced power generation if the shortfall is not corrected by early monsoon arrivals.

What Comes Next

The immediate outlook depends heavily on how quickly the southwest monsoon advances. Initial reports from meteorological sources suggest the monsoon is tracking broadly on schedule, but the distribution across peninsular India — the most water-stressed zone right now — remains uncertain. Until rainfall restores reservoir levels, pressure on water infrastructure is likely to remain high.