MC Daily Monsoon Tracker: Reservoir levels remain at 13% above normal as India stays rainfall surplus

Reservoir levels stay above normal as rainfall stays in surplus

India’s reservoir levels stayed 13 percent above the 10-year average, as the country continued to receive surplus rainfall, according to data released by Central Water Commission and India Meteorological Department.

The reservoir level declined to 13 percent above normal, compared with 18 percent the previous week, as Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Punjab witnessed below-normal water capacity.

Water levels in Punjab were 25 percent below normal, compared with a 24 percent surplus in the previous week. On the other hand, reservoir levels in Punjab were 65 percent deficit, as the state witnessed below-normal rainfall.

India’s rainfall surplus remained crossed 6 percent for the first time but remained below 7 percent mark witnessed for the first 19 days of the month.

In Nagaland, the deficit remained a high 32 percent, while Manipur experienced a rainfall deficit of 31 percent. Among the larger states, Punjab’s rainfall deficit remained unchanged at 29 percent, whereas Bihar had a deficit of 28 percent.

Seven of the country’s 36 states and UTs have been witnessing deficient rainfall conditions, while 18 are experiencing normal rainfall, and another 11 are experiencing excess rainfall.

Kharif acreage, on September 20, was 0.8 percent more than the last five-year average of 110.5 million hectares.

Paddy acreage remained 3 percent above average, while coarse cereals was 6.4 percent higher.

Jute, cotton and pulses sowing were lower compared with the normal area.