Reservoir left with just 12.5% water; hydropower generation halved; monsoon remains elusive as city records lowest June rainfall in a decade

The delayed monsoon and a severe rainfall deficit in June have begun to take a visible toll on the region's reservoirs, with the Bargi Dam — considered the lifeline of Jabalpur — witnessing a steady decline in water levels. In a first in 15 years, the dam is drying up in June itself. According to dam management officials, the water level is dropping by approximately five centimetres every day.

From 407.85 metres on June 15, the level has now fallen to 407.45 metres — a drop of nearly 40 centimetres. The dam currently holds only 12.59 per cent of its storage capacity, compared to about 22 per cent during the same period last year. Experts warn that even if all 21 gates are opened, water will not flow out due to the critically low level.

"We have never seen such a situation in June before," said Raja Ram Rohit, a water management expert associated with the Bargi Dam project. "The reservoir level has been brought down due to seepage repairs in the dam block. While there is no immediate cause for panic, it is essential that monsoon becomes active in the catchment areas within the next 10 to 12 days," he told reporters.

The impact on hydropower generation has been severe. One of the dam's two power generation units was shut down on June 27, while the second unit, which used to operate for eight to ten hours daily, is now being run for just three hours. Officials said a similar situation had occurred three years ago. In 2025, the water level at this time stood at 409.95 metres, compared with 407.65 metres this year.

Rainfall deficit deepens crisis

Jabalpur has recorded just 42.2 mm of rainfall this June, making it the driest June in a decade. Normal rainfall for the month up to June 30 is around eight inches (approximately 200 mm), but only about 1.5 inches has been recorded so far. Last year, the city had received 141.1 mm by June 27.

The monsoon's northern limit is currently around Mandla, and weather officials expect it to advance further. However, the India Meteorological Department has already flagged a 52 per cent rainfall deficit across Madhya Pradesh, with eastern districts — including Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol and Sagar — recording 65 to 71 per cent less rain than normal.

Narmada flow reduced, rocks emerge at ghats

The declining water level is also affecting the Narmada River, where rocks have begun to emerge at several ghats and reduced flow has led to deteriorating water quality. Water is normally released into the Narmada through the dam's hydropower plant. With one unit shut and the other operating on a limited schedule, the flow into the river has been significantly reduced.

Locals have started visiting the dam to witness the receding waterline. "I came here after hearing about the dam drying up. The water level has dropped drastically. Rocks are visible at many Narmada ghats, and the river water appears much lower and murkier than before," said Akash Koshta, a Jabalpur resident.

Drinking water, irrigation at risk

Bargi Dam supplies drinking water to Jabalpur and several surrounding towns and villages. Its canals irrigate farmland in Jabalpur and Narsinghpur, with future plans to extend water supply to Katni and Satna. Experts warn that if substantial rainfall does not arrive soon, the region could face a drinking water crisis in the coming weeks.

"We are releasing around 10 cusecs of water through the left bank canal for farmers, but this is only a stop-gap arrangement," an official said. The right bank canal had already been closed earlier, and the left bank canal is now operating at reduced capacity.

Meteorologists attribute the rainfall deficit to El Niño effects, which have weakened monsoon activity this year. They remain hopeful that the monsoon will pick up in July, but warn that any further delay could deepen the water crisis across several reservoirs in Madhya Pradesh, affecting power generation, irrigation and drinking water supply.