It took several dried up reservoirs to make us notice the water crisis

An extended period of insufficient rains has led to an alarming water situation in many parts of the country. Two consecutive monsoon failures could also be a reason why the water situation has gone this disturbing. This has also forced the state governments to take some strict and required actions to tackle the alarming situation of water crisis.

The delayed rains have already hurt hydropower generation, which would result in the delay of planting pulses, cotton, paddy and millets in western and southern states. In these states, water level has fallen drastically, a situation better in northern India where some reservoirs are still in a better position.

"The situation is alarming as of now. We will soon be sending advisories to state governments for judicious use of water from reservoirs. Better planning can rescue states in the next few months if rains are delayed or not widespread," GS Jha, chairman of Central Water Commission told ET. CWC is the authority responsible for monitoring the country's water situation by keeping a watch on 91 major reservoirs that feed hydropower plants and irrigate fields. It also advises the central and state governments on how they should use water for drinking, irrigation and industrial use.

While rainfall received in January and February was lowest in five years, March received 13% above average rainfall, but even then, it had been insufficient to make a difference to the reservoirs.

As of March 23, these 91 major reservoirs held 41.643 billion cubic metres (bcm) of water, which is 31% less than 60.015 bcm at this time in 2015, as per data from CWC.

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